Idioms add color and depth to everyday communication. Ears are the human body part that is used for listening. But idiomatic ears are the phrases in which we use this body part to express a condition or a situation. In this article about ears idioms in English, you will find 10 ear idioms, each explained in clear and straightforward language. Also you will find the meaning of each idiom explained along with an example to help you see exactly how it is used in daily routine life.
10 Ears Idioms
1. All Ears
Meaning:
This idiom means that someone is fully ready to listen to you carefully.
When someone says to you that he is all ears, it means they are listening to you carefully and are completely focused on what you are going to say.
How to use in a sentence:
(i) I am all ears, please share your thoughts.
(ii) Josh was all ears when his coach was explaining the new game plan.
How to say differently:
Listening closely / Ready to hear
2. Music to My Ears
Meaning:
Something that is pleasant or feels good to listen to. Something that lifts your mood up quickly and brings a smile to your face.
How to use in a sentence:
(i) The news of my brother’s promotion was music to my ears.
(ii) Hearing that school was closed due to the strike was music to every student’s ears.
How to say differently:
Sounds great / Nice to hear
3. Turn a Deaf Ear
Meaning:
To pretend that you have not heard something. This idiom is often used when someone avoids a warning or an uncomfortable truth.
How to use in a sentence:
(i) The manager turned a deaf ear to the field staff’s repeated problems.
(ii) Jim turned a deaf ear whenever his parents asked him to study.
How to say differently:
Ignore / Pay no attention
4. In One Ear and Out the Other
Meaning:
This idiom refers to the situation when a person hears something but forgets it immediately. We can say that this idiom is the opposite of “ All ears”. This idiom is used when someone listens without paying attention to what you are saying.
How to use in a sentence:
(i) Everything the teacher said to the back benchers, went in one ear and out the other.
(ii) No matter how many times Peter asked his son to study, it always went in one ear and out the other.
How to say differently:
Forgotten quickly
5. Keep Your Ear to the Ground
Meaning:
To stay alert and listen for new information. In older times people used to put their ear to the ground and listen carefully if someone was coming their way or not, especially in war.
How to use in a sentence:
(i) You should keep your ear to the ground for any changes in the schedule.
(i) Jason is a good journalist who always keeps her ear to the ground in the community.
How to say differently:
Stay alert / Pay close attention
6. Be Up to Your Ears in Something
Meaning:
When you have too much to do you use this idiom to describe your position.
How to use in a sentence:
(i) Sarah is up to her ears in assignments and cannot take a break.
(ii) Dad has been up to his ears all month long due to the burden of his office work..
How to say differently:
Very busy / Overloaded
7. Lend an Ear
Meaning:
To listen kindly to someone with care.
How to use in a sentence:
(i) He was going through a tough time, so I lent an ear and let him talk.
(ii) Always lend an ear to a classmate who seems upset or troubled.
How to say differently:
Be a good listener
For the sake of learning with fun, here are some Halloween idioms for you to explore and learn.
8. Flap Your Ears
Meaning:
To move your ears or act silly
How to use in a sentence:
(i) The dog flapped his ears when he came out of the water.
(ii) Samantha flapped her ears like an elephant.
How to say differently:
Wiggle ears
9. Pin Back Your Ears
Meaning:
Get ready and listen closely. This idiom is used when someone is about to say something serious.
How to use in a sentence:
(i) Students!, pin back your ears, because what I am going to tell you, will be on the exam.
(ii) The coach told the players to pin back their ears before discussing the final plan.
How to say differently:
Listen sharp
10. Box Someone’s Ears
Meaning:
To hit someone’s ears or scold them. This is used to correct someone.
How to use in a sentence:
(i) Not so long ago, parents used to box a child’s ears for serious misbehavior.
How to say differently:
Scold or Yell at someone
To read more about idioms for ears, you may like to visit this.
Conclusion
These are the 10 ear idioms explained in plain and simple words that anyone can understand and use in daily life. These idiomatic ears will enable you to express your feelings in a better way. Instead of using boring words, these idioms will make you sound as you have firm grip ove the English language.