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tickle the ivories
tickle the ivories
to play the piano. I used to be able to tickle the ivories real nice. She sat down to tickle the ivories for a while.
tickle the ivories
to play the piano
She writes and produces her own music, and also tickles the ivories on her new album. Usage notes: usually refers to playing the piano informally rather than in a concert
Etymology: from the literal meaning of ivories (piano keys)
tickle/tinkle the ivories
(humorous) to play the piano
Usage notes: The parts of a piano that you press to play it used to be made of a hard white substance called ivory.
Grandma could tickle the ivories like a professional. tickle the ivories
Play the piano, as in He went on tickling the ivories until three in the morning. This expression alludes to a piano's keys, traditionally made of ivory. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]
tickle the ivories
tv. to play the piano. I used to be able to tickle the ivories real nice.