Make Your Point > Archived Issues > GRACE NOTE

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explore the archives: We make use of musical metaphors with today's "grace note," meaning "that extra little graceful touch," as well as ___note, meaning "the important, central idea within something." Both terms are positive, but they're nearly opposites. make your point with... "GRACE NOTE" One meaning of "grace" is "to embellish or adorn something." In a piece of music, a grace note is a musical note that adds decoration to the main melody or harmony and makes it sound more graceful. Figuratively, a grace note is anything that provides an extra, nice little decoration or finishing touch to something else. Pronunciation: GRACE note Part of speech: Countable noun. (Countable nouns, like "bottle," "piece," and "decision," are words for things that can be broken into exact units. You talk about "a bottle," "three pieces," and "many decisions." Likewise, talk about one grace note or multiple grace notes.) Other forms: Just the plural: "grace notes." How to use it: Call something a grace note, or the grace note, when it provides a little extra touch of beauty, hospitality, entertainment, art, classiness, etc. For example, you might talk about a beloved star's cameo appearance providing the grace note in a television episode, or a speaker hitting a grace note with his well-timed jokes, or a whimsical new exhibit ending your museum tour on a grace note. examples: I can't help but smile as my husband stands by the dinner table, waiting for me to sit down first. It's a grace note that speaks to how well his mama raised him. When the tortilla chips are cold and stale, a Tex-Mex dinner is missing its usual grace note. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "grace note" means when you can explain it without saying "graceful addition" or "finishing touch." try it out: Think of something you always enjoy, such as a particular dish or wine, a restaurant or type of cuisine, a television show, or an author's works. Fill in the blanks: "(The main thing) always hits a grace note with (some excellent minor feature it has)." Example: "The Simpsons always hits a grace note with Bart's hilarious chalkboard scribbles in the opening sequence." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. This month, we're playing "You Know, That Thing!" This game challenges your powers of recall. Start a timer: twenty seconds if you're an adult, longer if you're a kid or an English language learner. Read the description of each thing, and come up with its name. Try to name all three before your timer runs out. (Scroll all the way down for the answers.) Ready? Go! 1. When an audience stands up to clap enthusiastically, that's a… 2. The powder you sprinkle on meat to help break down its fibers is a… 3. The device installed on the rear of some cars that appears to have an aerodynamic function but is usually just there for style is the… review today's word: 1. A close opposite of GRACE NOTE is A. HIGH NOTE B. BRIEF NOTE C. SOUR NOTE 2. As a grace note for each home he designs, David _____. A. asks that the client pay beforehand B. creates and hangs an original painting C. collects before-and-after photos for his portfolio Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. C 2. B Answers to game questions: 1. standing ovation 2. meat tenderizer 3. spoiler