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tickle the ivories

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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.

See also: ivory, tickle

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)

See also: ivory, tickle

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.

See also: ivory, tickle

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]

See also: ivory, tickle

tickle the ivories

tv. to play the piano. I used to be able to tickle the ivories real nice.

See also: ivory, tickle