Phrases & SayingsYouth, popular and digital culture
do a Melba
Also: doing a Melba
To retire or stage a farewell and then return, especially more than once.
In a sentence
After three farewell tours, the singer may yet do a Melba.
Where it came from
The phrase alludes to Australian soprano Nellie Melba, who announced her retirement in 1924 but continued giving farewell performances and later appearances. The expression is recorded from the 1940s.
- First recorded
- 1940s
- Initial era
- 1900–1949
- Where used
- Australia-wide