tin ear

• Absence de sensibilité musicale ou incapacité à percevoir les nuances fines de ton, de hauteur ou de rythme ; également utilisé métaphoriquement pour décrire une personne insensible aux signaux sociaux ou aux subtilités.

A lack of musical sensitivity or an inability to perceive subtle differences in tone, pitch, or rhythm; also used metaphorically to describe someone who is insensitive to social cues or nuances.

1. Inability to perceive musical pitchB2informal

   A lack of sensitivity or ability to distinguish musical notes or tones accurately.

   oreille musicale inexistante

   • He has a tin ear and cannot tell when he sings off-key.
   • Despite years of lessons, she still has a tin ear for harmony.
   • His tin ear made it difficult for him to enjoy classical music.

2. Lack of social or emotional awarenessC1informal

   An inability to understand or respond appropriately to social cues, moods, or subtle communication.

   manque de sensibilité sociale

   • He has a tin ear for sarcasm and often takes jokes literally.
   • Her tin ear for office politics got her into trouble.
   • The manager's tin ear for employee concerns created a tense atmosphere.