How to Pronounce "sour note"
expression
ˈsaʊɝ/, /ˈsaʊɹ/ /ˈnoʊt
SOW-er NOTE
sˈaʊə/ /nˈəʊt
SOW-uh NOHT
Definition
A 'sour note' is a musical term for a note that sounds unpleasant or out of place, but as an expression, it usually means an unpleasant or awkward moment in a situation that was otherwise good.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈsaʊɝ/, /ˈsaʊɹ/ /ˈnoʊt
British English
sˈaʊə/ /nˈəʊt
Simplified Pronunciation
US
SOW-er NOTE
UK
SOW-uh NOHT
Listen in Context
The concert ended on a sour note when the last song went wrong.
That joke hit a sour note with the audience.
We don't want the meeting to start on a sour note.
It was a great party, but the argument at the end struck a real sour note.