to the tune of

1. Set to the musical composition of.

2. Used to mean "approximately", or "in the general range of", but usually only when talking about large sums of money.

1. When I heard Weird Al Yankovich's lyrics to the tune of "Beat It", I decided that maybe MTV really was a worthless tool of Satan.

2. Right: So then I had to pay something to the tune of $5,000 for a new one.

Wrong: So then I had to pay something to the tune of $0.05 for a new one.

Notice that the order of magnitude of the cash amount affects the usage of the phrase.

by Al December 2, 2003

to the tune of

An Idiom: To the sum or extent of.

"We're looking at jail time, Franky. Either that or a fine to the tune of $50,000."

by AA November 3, 2003

to the tune of

"around about" - approximately, roughly, in the region of. often applies to a monetary amount.

i heard an offer to the tune of 5 million dollars for this place.

by Smiff November 4, 2003

to the tune of

sounds like

The abc song is to the tune of twinkle twinkle little star

by Brittany November 4, 2003

to the tune of

estimate, close appraisal, rounded figure.

We are asking for donations to the tune of $1,000.

by Chad Deese November 3, 2003

to the tune of

in the range of

that computer will set you back to the tune of three thousand dollars

by Random832 November 2, 2003

to the tune of

To perform a physical act upon someone of something in time to a music tune

He dance around him to the tune of "stuck in the middle of you" before slicing the guy's ear off

by Jim November 1, 2003