General
couldn't carry a tune in a bucket
What does couldn't carry a tune in a bucket mean?
Said of someone who cannot sing on key at all.
"I love him, but he couldn't carry a tune in a bucket."
Origin
Southern comedic idiom exaggerating the inability to "carry" a melody.
Frequently asked questions
What does "couldn't carry a tune in a bucket" mean?
It means someone is a terrible singer who can't stay on key.
How do you use it?
Describe a bad singer, often affectionately, e.g. "I love him, but he couldn't carry a tune in a bucket."
Is it an insult?
It's a light-hearted jab, usually said with fondness rather than malice.
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