The idiom “sing like a bird” is a common phrase in the English language that means to reveal information or confess something freely. When someone “sings like a bird,” they are providing details or admitting to something without much resistance. This idiomatic expression draws a comparison between how easily birds vocalize and “sing” to how someone who talks a lot or confesses readily is said to “sing like a bird.”
Origin of the idiom
The exact origin of the idiom “sing like a bird” is unclear, but many etymologists believe it arose in the early 20th century. Some of the earliest documented uses of the phrase can be found in newspapers from the 1920s. One theory is that it developed from the phrase “sing like a canary.” Canaries were often kept as pets in coal mines because they were sensitive to dangerous gases – if the canary suddenly dropped dead, miners knew to evacuate. The association between canaries “singing” and warning of imminent danger led to the phrase “sing like a canary,” meaning to give away information. Over time, this likely evolved into the more common version “sing like a bird.”
When is the idiom used?
The idiom “sing like a bird” is used when someone readily reveals information or details, often voluntarily. Some examples of when this phrase could be used include:
- Prisoners will often sing like a bird and confess everything once police start interrogating them.
- Once she got caught, she started singing like a bird and told us everything about the surprise party.
- Under pressure, he started singing like a bird and gave up all his co-conspirators.
In these examples, you can see how “sing like a bird” describes quickly and willingly giving out information, just as a bird naturally vocalizes without resistance.
How does the idiom relate to actual birds?
So how does the idiom relate to the actual sound and behavior of birds? There are a few connections:
- Many bird species are very vocal – they sing, chirp and vocalize frequently and loudly. This relates to how someone who “sings like a bird” talks freely and readily.
- Birds don’t hesitate or resist vocalizing. They naturally sing and chirp as part of their instincts. Similarly, someone who “sings like a bird” gives up information without trying to resist or hold back.
- Songbirds in particular have beautiful singing voices. When someone “sings like a bird” they are speaking freely, like a bird sings freely with its voice.
So in essence, the connection is the idea that birds naturally “sing” a lot, and someone who is similarly chatty or forthcoming with information is said to “sing like a bird.”
Differences in meaning
It’s important to note that “sing like a bird” does not necessarily have the exact same meaning as:
- Turn into an informant/snitch – “Sing like a bird” does not always imply turning on someone or becoming an informant. It simply means readily volunteering information, whether voluntarily or under pressure.
- Reveal secrets – While “sing like a bird” can mean revealing secrets, it more broadly means providing any information freely and readily. The information volunteered may or may not be sensitive.
- Say everything you know – “Sing like a bird” means giving out available information without resistance, but does not necessarily imply revealing absolutely everything you know. The phrase is about being forthcoming rather than exhaustive.
So while related, “sing like a bird” has a distinct meaning from simply informing, snitching, or revealing everything. The key is the idea of readily volunteering information without hesitation, much like a bird naturally sings.
Examples of the idiom in pop culture
As a common English idiom, “sing like a bird” has made its way into many examples of pop culture over the years:
- Movies – In Goodfellas, mobster Henry Hill expresses concern that his partners will “sing like a canary” if arrested and interrogated.
- TV – In an episode of The Simpsons, Principal Skinner says he will get Bart to “sing like a canary” and reveal who pulled a prank.
- Music – The Johnny Cash song “The Night Hank Williams Came to Town” includes the line “And the secrets that they shared will always be betrayed, by those who sign like birds locked in a cage.”
- Books – Sue Grafton’s alphabet detective novels include a book O is for Outlaw, where a character is said to “sing like a bird at sunrise” when confessing.
These are just a few fun examples of how this common idiom makes appearances in movies, TV, music, and literature. The metaphorical image is one that resonates through many genres and media.
Grammar and usage tips
Here are some helpful grammar and usage tips to keep in mind for the idiom “sing like a bird”:
- It’s more common to use the full phrase “sing like a bird” rather than shorten it to just “sing.”
- The verb tense should match the tense of the rest of the sentence. For example:
- Past tense: He sang like a bird when we questioned him.
- Present tense: She is singing like a bird to the police.
- Future tense: With enough pressure, he will sing like a bird.
- The idiom is usually used in the active voice, not passive. For example:
- Active voice (correct): He sang like a bird during the trial.
- Passive voice (incorrect): A bird was sung like during the trial.
- The preposition “to” can be added to indicate who the information is being volunteered to.
- Example: Once arrested, he started singing like a bird to the FBI.
Following these tips can help you use the idiom smoothly and seamlessly in everyday speech and writing.
Translations in other languages
As a common English idiom, “sing like a bird” has equivalents in some other languages as well. Here are translations for a few languages:
Language | Translation |
---|---|
Spanish | Cantar como un pájaro |
French | Chanter comme un oiseau / Gazouiller comme un oiseau |
Italian | Cinguettare come un uccellino |
German | Wie ein Vogel singen |
While not all languages have an exact idiomatic match, the metaphor of readily vocalizing information as a bird sings is one that translates well across cultures. The translations match the imagery and meaning of voluntarily providing information without resistance.
The idiom in action
To see the idiom “sing like a bird” in action, here is an example conversation between two coworkers, Laurie and Mark:
Laurie: Hey, did you hear what happened to Jacob? I heard he got called into HR this morning.
Mark: No way! I wonder what that’s about?
Laurie: I’m not sure, but knowing Jacob he’ll probably sing like a bird as soon as they ask him anything.
Mark: Ha, yeah you’re absolutely right. He’s never been able to keep a secret in his life. Whenever there’s workplace gossip going around, Jacob sings like a bird and tells everyone.
Laurie: Exactly! I bet he’s revealing every tiny thing he knows to HR right as we speak. He really sings like a bird whenever he has hot information.
Mark: For sure. We’ll probably know whatever happened by lunchtime today, since there’s no way he won’t have sung like a bird.
Here you can see the idiom used in conversation to illustrate how Jacob readily volunteers information or “sings” without any hesitation. The coworkers anticipate he will confess or provide details freely.
Key takeaways
In summary, here are some key takeaways about the idiom “sing like a bird”:
- It means to volunteer or reveal information readily, without hesitation.
- It likely originated from the phrase “sing like a canary” and became popular in the early 1900s.
- It’s used when someone confesses or provides details freely and willingly.
- It evokes the image of birds vocalizing naturally as a metaphor for being forthcoming.
- The expression is common in English and also found in other languages.
- It’s important to distinguish it from simply snitching or revealing every secret.
The next time you want to describe someone providing information voluntarily, consider using the colorful idiom “sing like a bird”!
Conclusion
In conclusion, the idiom “sing like a bird” is a staple of the English language that arose in the early 20th century from the phrase “sing like a canary.” It conveys the idea of readily volunteering information or confessing details without hesitation or resistance. When someone “sings like a bird,” they speak freely about what they know, just as songbirds vocalize naturally as part of their instincts. This common figurative phrase evokes a vivid image through its comparison to birdsong. Understanding the meaning and usage of idioms like “sing like a bird” can help English learners grasp the nuances that give language flavor. The next time you hear someone described as “singing like a bird,” you can comprehend that they are freely providing information, no coaxing required!