Meaning & use
starts off key
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
begins to sing or play music with notes that are not in tune
Grammar: Used after a singular subject: The choir starts off key. For plural or I/you, use 'start off key'.
Patterns
- someone starts off key
- something starts off key
The singer starts off key, but she quickly finds the right notes.
Every time the band starts off key, the conductor stops them and they begin again.
The national anthem starts off key because the crowd is not listening to the piano.
Common combinations
- start off key
- Try not to start off key when you sing the first line.
- sing off key
- He tends to sing off key when he is nervous.
- go off key
- The old piano goes off key in the high notes.
Synonyms and how they differ
- out of tune
- Use this for any note that is not correct; 'starts off key' specifically means the problem happens at the beginning.
- flat
- This means the note is too low; 'off key' can be too high or too low.
Opposites
Word family
- off-key adjective
- Not in tune; an off-key note or performance.
- key noun
- The set of notes a piece of music is based on.
Commonly confused: starts off key or off kilter?
starts off key vs off kilter
This means not balanced or slightly strange, not a musical problem.
Practice
The choir ___ off key during the opening song.
Choose one answer.
'The choir' is a singular group, so the present tense verb is 'starts'. 'Start' would be used with a plural subject like 'the singers'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “starts off key”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.