The quote 'First, distract target... Then, discombobulate' accompanies Sherlock Holmes’ slow-motion fight analysis. To score these eccentric moments, Hans Zimmer used the cimbalom. The cimbalom is a large, Hungarian hammered dulcimer that produces a jangly, metallic, and slightly chaotic sound. Zimmer felt that traditional orchestral violins were too 'polite' for Robert Downey Jr.’s bohemian Holmes. The cimbalom provided a gritty, 'street' texture that felt both Victorian and modern. Its percussive nature perfectly tracked the rhythmic precision of Holmes' internal monologue. This choice showed how a regional folk instrument can be repurposed to create a legendary cinematic sound that breaks away from clichéd period-piece music, perfectly matching the character's witty and analytical dialogue.