Out of tune (3,3) Crossword Clue
Answer: OFF KEY (6 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Out of tune" with 6 letters is "OFF KEY".Off key means singing or playing a musical note incorrectly, producing a sound that is not in harmony with the intended pitch. It describes a performance where the tones are inaccurate, resulting in a jarring or unpleasant effect to the listener.
Why “Off Key” Fits
The clue asks for a phrase (3,3) meaning “out of tune.” The answer, OFF KEY, fits exactly:
- Out of tune: Off key describes musical notes or singing that deviate from the correct pitch, producing a sound that is not harmonious.
- Direct match: With enumeration (3,3), off key perfectly matches the clue’s structure.
- Precise meaning: It is the standard idiomatic expression for music or sound performed incorrectly in terms of pitch.
The phrase off key is common in music and figurative speech:
- Origin and usage: Combines “off” (meaning not aligned or correct) with “key” (the set of pitches forming a scale). The term likely entered popular use in the early 20th century alongside widespread musical performance.
- Contexts: Used literally in music criticism and figuratively to describe anything awkward or out of alignment, such as behavior or comments.
- Examples: “The singer was off key during the chorus,” or “His remark was completely off key for the occasion.”
Quick crossword clues like “out of tune (3,3)” often lead to direct idioms or descriptive phrases:
- Alternatives such as flat note (4,4) or bad pitch (3,5) could fit partially, but off key is the most widely recognized musical term matching both meaning and enumeration.
- The short phrase format and familiar idiom make this a straightforward solve for anyone with basic musical vocabulary.
- With exact structure, universal usage, and precise definition, off key is the correct crossword solution.
