sour note
Off-pitch sound
A sour note is a tone that sounds wrong or off-pitch, clashing with the surrounding music: The trumpet hit a sour note during the finale.
Figuratively, anything that disrupts an otherwise positive situation: The argument ended the evening on a sour note.
To strike a sour note is to introduce discord or unpleasantness.
Wrong pitch, musically
- discordantLacking musical agreement
- jarringDisturbingly incongruous
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- discordLack of agreement
cacophony · grating · inharmonious · dissonant · strident · flat · sharp · out-of-tune
Foolish, costly mistake
- gaffeClumsy social error
- faux pasSocial misstep or indiscretion
- misstepError in action or judgment
- flubClumsy error
slip · bungle · blooper · clinker · miscue · fumble · botch · misplay
Express sharp disapproval
- disapprovalUnfavorable opinion expressed
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- objectionExpression of disapproval
- complaintExpression of discontent
dissatisfaction · negativity · dampener · killjoy · buzzkill · wet blanket · spoiler · downer
Resistance between touching surfaces
- uneaseMild persistent worry
- awkwardnessLack of grace or ease
- strainExcessive stretching force
- discomfortMild physical or mental distress
resentment · hostility · antagonism · bad blood · ill will · bitterness · discontent · animosity
off-key
Wrong pitch, musically
- discordantLacking musical agreement
- jarringDisturbingly incongruous
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
discord · cacophony · grating · inharmonious · dissonant · strident · flat · sharp · out-of-tune · pitchy
blunder
Foolish, costly mistake
flub · slip · bungle · blooper · clinker · miscue · fumble · botch · misplay · howler
rebuke
Express sharp disapproval
- disapprovalUnfavorable opinion expressed
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- objectionExpression of disapproval
complaint · dissatisfaction · negativity · dampener · killjoy · buzzkill · wet blanket · spoiler · downer · party pooper
friction
Resistance between touching surfaces
- uneaseMild persistent worry
- awkwardnessLack of grace or ease
- strainExcessive stretching force
discomfort · resentment · hostility · antagonism · bad blood · ill will · bitterness · discontent · animosity · frostiness
- bad soundsoff-key, off-pitch, pitchy, dissonant, discordant
- notesmemo, reminder, to-do list, memo pad, scratch pad
- audio flawsclipping, distortion, hum, buzz, hiss
sour noteperfect pitch
Identifying tones without reference
pure tone · in tune · consonance · euphony
sour notehigh point
Best part of something
bright spot · crowning achievement · pleasant surprise · silver lining · saving grace
note, sour, soured, sourness, sourdough, souring, sourly, sourpuss, soursop