strike a false note
To give the impression of being insincere, incongruous or inappropriate.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“His apology strikes a false note with me.”
“The politician's attempt to sound humble during the interview struck a false note with the voters.”
“Although the actor delivered his lines with technical precision, his performance struck a false note that failed to capture the character's genuine grief.”
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blue note
The flatted 5th scale degree in the blues scale.
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compare notes
To exchange information and ideas about related experiences.
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couldn't carry a note in a bucket
Not musically talented, unable to sing.
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false note
Of a remark or narrative, an indication (as discerned by the listener or reader) of untruth, insincerity, or inconsistency.
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hit the high notes
To produce or attain, at least for a period of time, an especially satisfactory degree of achievement or fulfilment.
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lightning strike
A (sometimes unofficial) strike by workers with little or no warning.
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on strike
Withholding labor as a protest, in order to effect change in management or government.
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sour note
A negative aspect to something mostly positive.
Last updated August 10, 2026