English is a very passionate language and using idioms is a great way to help highlight your point or meaning. These fun dance idioms will really help strengthen your conversation skills, and we have included definitions and examples for each one so you can understand how they are used.
Idioms are so often used in English, it’s important you understand what they are. But for now, put on your dancing shoes and explore these popular idioms about dancing.
Dance idioms
All singing, all dancing
If you want to say that something or someone has everything, every feature, or can do everything, you may say it or they are all singing all dancing.
“This university has it all. It’s all singing, all dancing.”
“When I get my kitchen re-fitted, I want it to be all singing, all dancing.”
If you are looking for other idioms like this, then why not try some music idioms too.
Dance cheek to cheek
People who dance cheek to cheek are doing a passionate or romantic dance. Although their cheeks (the fleshy part on the side of your face) may not be actually touching, they will be very close together.
“It was so romantic to see them dancing cheek to cheek at their 50th anniversary party.”
Give it a whirl
It’s always a great idea to try something new. Perhaps you’ve never tried ice skating or rock climbing. If this is the case, a friend may encourage you to give it a whirl – meaning to try it out.
“I know you’ve never done it before but just give it a whirl.”
How is this related to dance? A ‘whirl’ is also the action of spinning around.
Dancing on air
This is a positive dance idiom; dancing on air describes a state of extreme happiness.
“Ever since the offer was accepted on the house they have been dancing on air.”
This is used in a similar way to walking on cloud nine. You can read more about these and other happiness idioms here.
It takes two to tango
Some idioms about dancing do relate directly to dance styles, and this is one of them. Tango is a romantic, passionate dance performed by a couple. It can’t be danced alone.
When we say ‘it takes two to tango‘, we’re suggesting that both or all involved in a situation or argument are equally responsible for it.
“Lucy is blaming Elijah, but it takes two to tango.”
Drag your heels
If you drag your heels it means you are moving very slowly or procrastinating on a task you need to do. If someone else is in a rush, they may accuse you of dragging your heels.
“We are running so late, please don’t drag your heels.”
This expression, and the few that follow, all include body parts. There are plenty of other fun body part idioms for you to explore as well.
Foot loose and fancy free
This is another one of the happy, positive dance idioms for situations when you don’t have a worry in the world.
To be foot loose and fancy free means you don’t have attachments and can do as you please. It’s normally said in reference to the lack of a romantic relationship, but not always.
“I can’t wait to be foot loose and fancy free when I take a year’s sabbatical.”
“Natasha was feeling foot loose and fancy free after her divorce was finalized.”
Have two left feet
Not all dance idioms are about graceful, coordinated dancing. If someone says you have two left feet, it means you are not a very good dancer.
“When I started dancing I had two left feet, but I have improved a lot.”
“No way am I dancing with Leon at the party; he has two left feet!”
Keep someone on their toes
This idiom about dancing alludes to the fact that ballerinas like to dance on their toes.
If someone keeps you on your toes, they make you stay alert because you never quite know what they are going to do next. You must be ready to react at a moment’s notice.
“Our new baby is really keeping us on our toes.”
Get your groove on
When we talk about a ‘groove’ in the context of dance, we mean your own personal movement in time with the music. The expression get your groove on means to really enjoy yourself while dancing (or attempting to dance, at least!).
“Have a great night and just get your groove on.”
We can also talk about getting in the groove and in this case it’s more about the rhythm of your life; having a good pace and style and things being just right.
“I’m just getting in the groove with my new job, and I love it!”
You may have heard the word ‘groove’ as part of the title to the hit 1998 romantic comedy How Stella got her Groove Back. Hopefully now it makes more sense.
More idioms about dancing
Lead someone on a merry dance
To lead someone on a merry dance isn’t a nice thing to do. It means you have not treated them well for a long period of time, perhaps through misleading them or tricking them.
“I really trusted them but they led me on a merry dance.”
“Sounds like Danny has been leading John on a merry dance all this time.”
Out of step
When performing as a group, all dancers should be stepping to the same beat. When you are out of step you aren’t following or conforming with what others are doing. This may sometimes be a good thing but more often than not it is a bad thing.
“Our manager is a bit old-fashioned. He’s really out of step with the needs of his team.”
My dance card is full
Some idioms about dancing date back many years, and you may not hear this one often. To say my dance card is full is to simply say that you are busy and unable to make an appointment or date. This is normally used in relation to romantic dates.
“I would love to see you but next Monday my dance card is full. How about Tuesday?”
We have another page with some more useful expressions for making plans in the future.
Make a song and dance about it
Many dance idioms can be used in both the positive and negative forms, but this expression would normally be used in a negative sentence structure (like in the examples below).
We can say this when something happens that is bad, but not really significant, so there is no point making a big fuss over it. You don’t need to make a song and dance about it.
“Ok, ok, ok. I fell over. It was funny, but let’s not make a song and dance about it.”
“There’s no need to make a song and dance about every good grade you get.”
Step out of line
In some traditional dances, dancers perform in unity in a line. In this case, to step out of line would be seen as inappropriate or disrespectful. This dancing idiom can be used to describe rude, disrespectful or disobedient behavior.
“It’s best you just do as they say and don’t step out of line.”
“Anyone who steps out of line on this matter will be disciplined.”
Strut your stuff
Strutting is a confident, bold way of walking. When you’re told to strut your stuff, it isn’t necessarily an instruction about how to walk or dance; it’s more about behaving in a confident, proud way in order to impress others.
“I am loving your new outfit. You should strut your stuff tonight at the office party.”
Check out some more fashion and clothes idioms for other ways to describe someone who is looking great.
Slow dance
Although this dance saying seems simple enough, it’s not actually referring to just dancing slowly. A slow dance means a romantic dance in which you hold your partner close and sway in time to the music, sometimes turning slowly.
“I was so embarrassed that he asked me for a slow dance!”
Dance the night away
When you go out for the night and are having a great time, you may feel you want to keep dancing all night. And this is what dance the night away means.
“I am having so much fun I might just dance the night away.”
If this sounds like you, you might also enjoy these party idioms!
Step on someone’s toes
If your intention is to help someone but you end up interfering or upsetting them, we could say you are stepping on their toes.
“I wish my mother-in-law would stop stepping on my toes as I’m decorating our house.”
“I’m happy to help but I don’t want to step on your toes.”
Sweep someone off their feet
Here’s another one of the romantic dance idioms. To sweep someone off their feet is to do something to charm or impress that person to make them fall in love with you quickly.
“We meet 50 years ago and he swept me off my feet.”
“What can I do to sweep Julia off her feet?”
If you wish to talk about falling in love then there are some great love idioms to learn.
Toe-tapper
To describe music as upbeat or enjoyable you may say it is a good toe-tapper. This suggests you were enjoying it so much that you started moving your toes or foot up and down in time with the music.
“I got all excited listening to their new song. It was quite the top-tapper.”
Let’s hope that all this talk of dancing hasn’t left you out of breath. Which dance idioms did you like? Leave a comment and let us know if any of them swept you off your feet.
