set of pipes

English

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

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Noun

set of pipes (plural sets of pipes)

1. (music) A wind instrument incorporating multiple pipes, such as a panpipe or bagpipe.
   • 1916, Elbert Hubbard, “Savonarola”, in Little Journeys Vol. 7: Eminent Orators:

     The old man taught the boy to play the flute, and together they constructed a set of pipes—the pipes o' Pan—and out along the river they would play.

2. (idiomatic) Voice for singing.
   • 1995 August 22, Waymon Wong, “Damone: ‘V’ for Vic-tory at Rainbow, his crooning still sends 'em swooning”, in New York Daily News, retrieved 25 May 2009:

     Since the 1950s, Vic Damone has always had a great set of pipes, but at 67, he's plumbing his songs with a maturity and grace that's even more mesmerizing.

   • 2009, Darryl Sterdan, "Peaches pushing the boundaries," Jam! Showbiz at canoe.ca, 18 May (retrieved 25 May 2009):

     Peaches—who usually raps her lyrics in husky tones—also reveals she has one helluva set of pipes, belting out "Talk to Me" with enough power to give any disco diva pause.

Translations

music: type of wind instrument

voice for singing

• Finnish: lauluääni (fi)