a story or statement, especially an untrue or misleading one designed to evade the matter at hand:
Every time he's late, he gives me a song and dance about oversleeping.
Origin
1870-75, Americanism
Examples from the web for song and dance
It's the females who are the choosy ones, and surprisingly for many males, the dramatic song and dance appears to be in vain.
The site includes segmented levels to advance skills, with song and dance for learning enjoyment.
Authentic island performances of song and dance will be featured on the center stage as well.
If one side quickly wins the game, the remainder of the evening until the feast is ready is occupied with song and dance.
British Dictionary definitions for song and dance
song and dance
noun (informal)
1.
(Brit) a fuss, esp one that is unnecessary
2.
(US & Canadian) a long or elaborate story or explanation, esp one that is evasive
Slang definitions & phrases for song and dance
song and dance
n phr,n
A prepared account or speech aimed at persuasion, apology, advocacy, wheedling, etc: A flimsy excuse or transparent lie is called ''a song and dance''/ Some bum will brace you with a long song of utter inconsequence(1895+)
An elaborate story or effort to explain and justify something, or to deceive and mislead someone. For example, Do you really believe his song and dance about the alarm not going off, being stopped for speeding, and then the car breaking down? or At every annual meeting the chairman goes through the same song and dance about the company's great future plans. This term originally referred to a vaudeville act featuring song and dance. [ Late 1800s ]