MrPernickety  +  845911 Mon, 03 Aug 09 08:39 PM Hi,   I came by this excerpt:   The sharp turnabout in tone and substance reflected a recognition not only that Mr. McCain had struck a discordant note at a sensitive moment but also that he had done so with regard to the very issue on which he can least afford to stumble   Could you elaborate on the meaning of "strike a discordant note", please? Does it mean that he had turned the public against him by saying something that made the public turn on him?   Also, is this phrase often used in conversation ?   Thanks ! MrPernickety Joined on Sat, Oct 25 2008 Regular Member 731 Amendment XXX to the US Constitution: No man shall be held accountable for any promise he makes while drunk unless it was a bet. Regards, Speaking, Chat, Friendships, Conversational

	Mr Wordy  +  845928 Mon, 03 Aug 09 08:52 PM "to strike a discordant note" means to say something negative or inappropriate -- contradicting statements made by other people, or not in keeping with the situation, or similar. It doesn't in itself specifically relate to public opinion, though it may do here if that fits the context. Mr Wordy Joined on Tue, May 27 2008 Senior Member 2,359 Native British English speaker Negatives, Context, Negations

	MrPernickety  +  845947 Mon, 03 Aug 09 09:14 PM Thank you, Mr. Wordy ! I get it now. MrPernickety

	Mr Wordy  +  845963 Mon, 03 Aug 09 09:25 PM MrPernickety “Also, is this phrase often used in conversation ?”     Sorry, I forgot your second question. It's not hugely common in conversation. However, it's quite OK to use if you want to, and it wouldn't be a noticeably odd thing to say in the right context. Mr Wordy Context, Speaking, Chat, Friendships, Conversational, Apologies