to the tune of

English

Pronunciation

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Prepositional phrase

to the tune of

1. (literally) Fitting the melody of.

   The lyrics were written to the tune of "Amazing Grace".

2. (idiomatic) Roughly; about; to the approximate sum or extent of.

   The damage that he did to his car was to the tune of two grand.

   • 1928, Upton Sinclair, Boston:

     It's a blackmail ring, and the district attorneys get a share of the loot. […] Well, they got him in the same kind of jam, and soaked him to the tune of three hundred and eighty-six thousand.