tickle the ivory/ivories
To play the piano. An allusion to its white keys, which were formerly made of ivory. My father used to love tickling the ivories after dinner. My friends asked if I would tickle the ivory at their wedding reception.
tickle the ivories
to play the piano. I used to be able to tickle the ivories real nice. She sat down to tickle the ivories for a while.
tickle the ivories
Play the piano, as in He went on tickling the ivories until three in the morning. This expression alludes to a piano's keys, traditionally made of ivory. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]
tickle the ivories
INFORMALIf someone tickles the ivories, they play the piano. Peter Brown tickles the ivories tonight at the Mercury Lounge alongside bassist Chris Breitner.
tickle (or tinkle) the ivories
play the piano. informal The ivories are the white keys of the piano, traditionally made of ivory.
tickle the ivories
tv. to play the piano. I used to be able to tickle the ivories real nice.