to tune

Examples

• All

• Tune the tracer to the car's frequency.

  The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)

• All you have to do is tune up the old original Clunky.

  Fiction book (1998)

• You put it down after trying to tune it the last ten miles.

  Fiction book (1998)

• And now, I will try and tune my guitar.

  Zappa (2020)

• Hans, tune the machine to that frequency.

  Blade: The Iron Cross (2020)

• It allows me to tune it to the job.

• I'm trying to tune the scanner.

  The Gods Must Be Crazy (1980)

• Go back into the section where you reorder, and fine-tune those measurements for us.

  END:CIV (2011)

• He spent the afternoon trying to tune the machine for better efficiency.

• The technician will tune the printer to ensure it produces high-quality prints.

Synonyms

A

to adjust

vsto tune

317 2.7

To change something so it is in the right position or works correctly

applies this to machines so they work more efficiently or as desired

T

to tweak

vsto tune

81 3.8

To make small changes to improve something

aims at overall working efficiency rather than informal minor tweaks

O

to optimize

vsto tune

69 5.3

Make something work as well as possible

focuses on making machines work adequately rather than reaching their absolute best

F

to fine-tune

vsto tune

26 4.2

To make small changes so something works better

involves general adjustment for efficiency rather than only tiny precision changes

R

to recalibrate

vsto tune

• Specialized

21 6.5

Adjust a device or instrument so it works correctly

is broader, covering general adjustments for efficient performance not only resets

T

to tune up

vsto tune

2 3.9

To make a machine or instrument work better by checking and fixing it

focuses on adjusting a device to work efficiently rather than full servicing

Idioms

I

in tune

31 3.7

Agreeing and working well with other people or ideas

T

to the tune of

• Literature

26 6.1

An amount of money, often a large sum

O

out of tune

12 3.3

Notes are at the wrong pitch so a piano or violin sounds bad

C

to carry a tune

10 4.5

To sing in tune without going off-key

C

to change one's tune

• Informal

6 5.1

To show a different opinion after you were against it before

C

to call the tune

• Informal

3 7.0

To have control and make the main decisions

S

to sing the same tune

1 4.6

To agree with others, often in public

C

to carry a tune in a bucket

• Informal

9.1

To sing very badly and out of tune

C

to change someone's tune

• Informal

5.0

To have a different opinion after seeing new facts or benefits

Phrasal Verbs

T

to tune in

100 3.2

Set a radio or TV to a program to follow it

T

to tune out

• Informal

19 4.4

To stop listening or paying attention to what is happening

T

to tune up

2 3.9

To make a machine or instrument work better by checking and fixing it

T

to tune up

1 3.4

To adjust a musical instrument so it plays the correct notes

Compounds

T

tune-up

10 4.1

A service that adjusts and checks an engine so it runs better

C

catchy tune

3 1.9

A melody like a song in an ad that is easy to remember and sing

T

tune-up

1 3.4

A short practice session to prepare for a sport or event

S

signature tune

• UK

1 4.4

A short, easy to recognize piece of music that identifies a show or performer

L

lively tune

1 2.5

A cheerful piece of music with a quick, happy beat

C

coon tune

• Slur

9.9

An old style of song linked to racist shows with offensive lyrics

L

loony tune

• Slang

9.7

A very silly or crazy idea

L

loony tune moment

• Slang

9.8

A short time when someone acts very silly and makes people laugh

How Tuned

to optimize

69 5.3

to calibrate

• Specialized

36 6.0

to fine-tune

26 4.2

to tune

• Specialized

125 3.2

to adjust

317 2.7

Surface Forms

Etymology