What it means
A great fuss or elaborate, attention-grabbing performance made over something minor, often to dodge a straight answer. The image is of a full musical number rolled out instead of a simple yes or no. Make a song and dance about it, and a small thing turns into a whole show.
Usage examples
"She made such a song and dance about lending me a fiver that I wished I had never asked."
"He made a right song and dance about having to work one Saturday."
"There is no need for a song and dance, just tell me what happened."
"I only asked where the receipt was and he gave me the full song and dance about being too busy all week."
"Stop the song and dance and just say you forgot to book it."
Voice comments
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Where it comes from
This one started life in the theatre world, where a song-and-dance was literally a performance number with singing and dancing. By the late 1800s and early 1900s, English had stretched it into everyday speech for any big theatrical fuss, excuse, or overblown carry-on when a plain answer would've done.
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