To make a song and dance (about something) – The English We Speak

Feifei: Hello, this is The English We Speak
and I’m Feifei.
Rob: And hello, I’m Rob.
Feifei: Hey Rob, watch this…
Rob: Yeah very impressive, Feifei. But why
are you singing and dancing?
Feifei: Well, I booked a holiday in a lovely
hotel with a fantastic swimming pool.
Rob: Right. And you’re celebrating by
singing and dancing? Very strange!
Feifei: No Rob, of course not! There’s a
problem – the swimming pool is
closed for refurbishment
and I want to cancel my holiday but the
hotel won’t let me.
Rob: Oh right. So you’re singing about it?
Feifei: No. Neil told me to call the hotel
again and make a song and dance
about my reservation
– so I’m practising before I do.
Rob: Hold on Feifei. Don’t waste your
time. What Neil means by ‘to make
a song and dance
about it’, is to make lots of unnecessary
fuss about it – basically, to overreact.
Feifei: Got it! So, overreact – yes,
I can do that!
Rob: Well, go and make that phone call
while we listen to some examples…
My boyfriend makes such a song and
dance about doing the housework –
but to be honest, it’s
not that hard!
Don’t make a song and dance about it –
I only asked you to move seats
so I could see the screen.
I can’t believe they lost your suitcase at
the airport; you should make
a song and dance
about this and get a proper apology.
Feifei: This is The English We Speak from
BBC Learning English and we’re learning about
the phrase ‘to make a song and dance
about something’ which means
to make a lot of unnecessary
fuss about something. And Rob,
that’s what I did when I called the hotel…
Rob: So, you overreacted?
Feifei: Yes.
Rob: You made lots of fuss?
You made a scene?
Feifei: I did, and guess what?
Rob: What?
Feifei: They apologised and offered me a
free holiday when the swimming pool
has reopened
and said I could bring a guest for free.
Rob: Brilliant – a free guest!
So, when shall we go?
Feifei: We Rob? No, I’m taking
my best friend Maria.
Rob: What?! I’m not your best friend?! All
that time we’ve worked together.
All the things
I’ve given you…
Feifei: Calm down, Rob.
Don’t make a song and dance about it.
I’ll send you a postcard.
Rob: Oh thanks.
Feifei: Bye.
Rob: Bye.