sing a different tune

sing a different tune
   to change your story, attitude, or opinion
   The same imagery recurs in various phrases.
   Thus the musical British politician Edward Heath, not especially renowned for the consistency of his policies, was said to sing from a different song sheet:
    Indeed, a former prime minister, Edward Heath (who was subsequently to sing from a different song sheet), admonished the government to press ahead with democratic reform. (Patten, 1998, writing about Hong Kong)
   Those said to sing off the same hymn sheet or to sing the same tune are taking the same line or expressing publicly the same opinion.

How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. . 2014.

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  • sing a different tune — or[whistle a different tune] also[sing a new tune] {v. phr.}, {informal} To talk or act in the opposite way; contradict something said before. * /Charles said that all smokers should be expelled from the team but he sang a different tune after… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • sing a different tune — or[whistle a different tune] also[sing a new tune] {v. phr.}, {informal} To talk or act in the opposite way; contradict something said before. * /Charles said that all smokers should be expelled from the team but he sang a different tune after… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • sing\ a\ different\ tune — • sing a different tune • whistle a different tune • sing a new tune v. phr. informal To talk or act in the opposite way; contradict something said before. Charles said that all smokers should be expelled from the team but he sang a different… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • sing a different tune — change one s opinion about or attitude toward someone or something * * * sing a different tune see ↑tune, 1 • • • Main Entry: ↑sing * * * sing a different ˈtune idiom to change your opinion about sb/sth or your attitude towards sb/sth Main entry …   Useful english dictionary

  • sing a different tune —    If somebody sings a different tune, they change their opinion about something, or their attitude towards something.     He had no sympathy for people out of work until he lost his own job;     now he s singing a different tune …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • sing a different tune — contradict something said before, talk or act in the opposite way Usually he doesn t care if he disturbs his neighbors at midnight but now that he has to get up early in the morning he is whistling a different tune …   Idioms and examples

  • sing\ a\ new\ tune — • sing a different tune • whistle a different tune • sing a new tune v. phr. informal To talk or act in the opposite way; contradict something said before. Charles said that all smokers should be expelled from the team but he sang a different… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • sing a different tune — speak differently, change one s stance …   English contemporary dictionary

  • whistle\ a\ different\ tune — • sing a different tune • whistle a different tune • sing a new tune v. phr. informal To talk or act in the opposite way; contradict something said before. Charles said that all smokers should be expelled from the team but he sang a different… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • whistle a different tune — See: SING A DIFFERENT TUNE …   Dictionary of American idioms

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