changed its tune

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "changed its tune" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has altered their opinion or attitude about something, often in a noticeable way. Example: "After the initial criticism, the politician changed its tune and began to support the proposed legislation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The software lobby quietly changed its tune: it told the regulator it supported net neutrality, with an exception for "short-term business promotions" – like Free Basics.

The Guardian - Tech

Part of that consultation included opinion polls of the serving police officers, and when the Federation was presented with evidence that its members overwhelmingly supported the Stevens reforms, it changed its tune.

Independent

But it changed its tune in its November 2012 report specifically on payday lenders.

BBC

The U.S. not only changed its tune when it came to the election, it also resumed funding to the Honduran military and police, funding that has increased every year since.

Huffington Post

It has changed its tune for wealthier ones.

The New York Times

It hastily changed its tune when most newspapers praised the report.

The Economist

By late afternoon, though, it seems like the organization had changed its tune, possibly after reading it again.

Vice

And Jazzercise changed its tune nationally, saying it would no longer demand thinness from its instructors.

The New York Times - Books

That it has unexpectedly changed its tune shows just how bad things are.

The Economist

Let's hope that by the time the government publishes the final version of the report, in June, it will have changed its tune.

The Guardian - Opinion

Largely unknown to the public, Spear is the biggest single presence on the exchange's old floor, serving as the "specialist", or deal maker, in a fifth of all transactions.Goldman claims it has not changed its tune.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "changed its tune" to describe a noticeable shift in someone's opinion or behavior, especially when they previously held a different view. It often implies a public or formal alteration of stance.

Common error

Avoid using "changed its tune" when a subtle adjustment is made. This phrase is best reserved for significant and recognizable shifts in opinion, policy, or behavior. If the alteration is subtle you may want to choose a phrase with less semantic impact as "adjusted its outlook".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "changed its tune" functions as a verb phrase indicating a shift in opinion, policy, or behavior. Ludwig examples show its use across diverse contexts, reflecting its versatility. The Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "changed its tune" is a versatile idiom used to describe a shift in opinion, policy, or behavior. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and frequently used, primarily in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's best reserved for significant shifts, avoiding subtle adjustments. Alternatives like "altered its stance" or "shifted its position" may be more appropriate in certain situations. Its consistent usage and the breadth of examples underscore its importance in effectively communicating changes in stance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

altered its stance

Focuses on a change in position or belief.

shifted its position

Emphasizes a movement from one viewpoint to another.

reversed its policy

Highlights a complete turnaround in official rules or guidelines.

did an about-face

Suggests a sudden and often unexpected change in direction or opinion.

recanted its statement

Implies a formal withdrawal of a previously held belief or assertion.

adjusted its outlook

Indicates a modification in perspective or expectation.

revised its approach

Points to a change in method or strategy.

did an about-turn

A British English idiom for a complete reversal of policy or opinion.

switched gears

Suggests a shift to a different mode of operation or thinking.

had a change of heart

Indicates an emotional or attitudinal shift leading to a different decision.

FAQs

What does "changed its tune" mean?

The phrase "changed its tune" means that someone has altered their opinion or behavior, often noticeably and after previously holding a different view. It suggests a shift in stance, sometimes due to new information or circumstances.

When is it appropriate to use "changed its tune"?

It's appropriate to use "changed its tune" when describing a significant shift in someone's opinion or behavior, particularly when this shift is public or formal. It implies that the person or entity previously held a different view.

What can I say instead of "changed its tune"?

You can use alternatives like "altered its stance", "shifted its position", or "reversed its policy" depending on the context.

Is "changed its tune" formal or informal?

"Changed its tune" is generally considered a neutral to slightly informal expression. While suitable for news articles and general writing, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives such as "adjusted its outlook" or "revised its approach".