Can't carry a tune in a bucket Meaning in English
expression
KANT KAIR-ee uh TOON in uh BUH-kut
KAHNT KAIR-ee uh TYOON in uh BUH-kit
Definition
This humorous expression means someone sings very badly or cannot sing in tune at all.
Usage & Nuances
Very informal and humorous; mainly spoken in the US and UK. Used to exaggerate how poorly someone sings. Similar phrases: 'can't sing to save your life,' 'tone-deaf.' Not for use in formal writing.
Spanish: no puede entonar ni una nota - desafinar muchoPortuguese (BR): não consegue cantar nada afinado - canta muito malPortuguese (PT): não sabe cantar afinado - desafina muitoChinese (Simplified): 五音不全Chinese (Traditional): 五音不全Hindi: बिल्कुल सुर में नहीं गा सकताArabic: لا يستطيع الغناء نهائيًا - صوته نشاز جداًBengali: একেবারেই সুরে গাইতে পারে নাRussian: не может попасть в ноту - совсем не умеет петьJapanese: 音痴 - 全然歌がうまくないVietnamese: không biết hát - hát rất dởKorean: 음치이다 - 노래를 전혀 못 부르다Turkish: hiç şarkı söyleyememek - sesi çok kötü olmakUrdu: بالکل بھی دُھن میں نہیں گا سکتاIndonesian: tidak bisa bernyanyi sama sekali - sangat fals
Example Sentences
He can't carry a tune in a bucket.
basic
My brother loves music but can't carry a tune in a bucket.
basic
Everyone laughed because she can't carry a tune in a bucket.
basic
Don't ask me to sing karaoke—I can't carry a tune in a bucket!
natural
My dad whistles all the time, but honestly, he can't carry a tune in a bucket.
natural
She tried joining the choir, but the director quickly realized she can't carry a tune in a bucket.
natural