change one's tune

English edit

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Verb edit

change one's tune (third-person singular simple present changes one's tune, present participle changing one's tune, simple past and past participle changed one's tune)

  1. (idiomatic) To reconsider; rethink; to reach a different conclusion.
    They say my way of doing things is slower, but I think they'll change their tune as soon as they try it.
    • 1962 December, “Talking of Trains: Point heaters on the S.R.”, in Modern Railways, page 371:
      The heaters, the S.R. now says, will "help tremendously" if there is severe snow and ice—a welcome change of tune from last winter, when the Region was countering criticism of its operation during the January freeze-up with a bland defence of existing precautions [...].
    • 2023 August 9, Nigel Harris, “Comment: Disinterested and dishonest”, in RAIL, number 989, page 3:
      Labour frontbencher Louise Haigh (Shadow Transport Secretary for heaven's sake!) initially lambasted TOCs before the handful of specialist rail commentators fell on her tweets and she changed her tune, refocusing her fire on Government.
  2. (idiomatic) To change one's story.
    The suspect changed his tune when he learned the police had the evidence.

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