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All those who have had their ears pulled would know just how painful that is. But painful punishments apart, ears have a lot to teach. Out on one’s ear: thrown out or dismissed at short notice from a job etc. usually because of one’s own fault. The servant found himself out on his ear when he was caught stealing money. Grin/smile from ear to ear: look extremely happy. "I have stood first in my class," he said, grinning from ear to ear. Play it by the ear: decide how to deal with a situation as it develops rather than planning beforehand. I am not sure what I will say at the seminar. I will play it by the ear. Turn a deaf ear to something: deliberately ignore something unpleasant, i.e. criticism, complaints, by pretending not to have heard it. I told my son to clean his room today, but he turned a deaf ear to it. Have an ear for something: be very good at hearing, repeating or understanding music, poetry or language. I can’t for the life of me remember songs. I have never had an ear for music. Keep an/your ear to the ground: watch and listen carefully to what is happening around you so that you know everything. He always has an ear to the ground. He will know if this rumour is true. Lend an ear: listen carefully and in a friendly way to someone, especially someone who is telling you a problem. She is the kindest person I know. She always lends a sympathetic ear to anyone who turns to her for help. Be all ears: listen attentively to news or information that may be to one’s advantage. He was all ears when I told him that his book was getting good reviews. Up to one’s ears (in something, usually work): extremely busy, totally immersed in work. Let’s schedule the picnic for next week, this week I am up to my ears in work. (Reference: Cambridge International Dictionary of Idioms) |
