20 Ear Idioms in English with Meanings and Examples

Last updated on October 22, 2024 by Isabella Claire

In this reference, we will explore some of the most commonly used ear idioms in the English language. We will provide the meaning and context of these idioms to help you understand their usage better. Whether you are a native speaker or learning English as a second language, this article will help you expand your vocabulary and improve your communication skills.

Ear Idioms List

Ear Idioms
Ear Idioms – Created by 7ESL
  • All Ears
  • Bend someone’s ear
  • Cock an ear
  • Ear candy
  • Ear to the wall
  • Fall on deaf ears
  • Give Someone an Earful
  • Have an ear for music
  • Have ears burning
  • In one ear and out the other
  • I’m All Ears
  • Keep your ear to the ground
  • Lend an Ear
  • Music to my ears
  • Play It by Ear
  • That’s Music to My Ears
  • The Walls Have Ears
  • Turn a deaf ear
  • Up to one’s ears
  • Wet Behind the Ears

Ear Idioms with Meaning and Examples

All Ears

  • Meaning: Fully attentive and ready to listen.
  • Example: “Go ahead with your story; we’re all ears.”

Bend someone’s ear

  • Meaning: To talk to someone for a long time, often about something unimportant or bothersome.
  • Example: “I didn’t mean to bend your ear with my problems for so long.”

Cock an ear

  • Meaning: Listen carefully or attentively.
  • Example: “I cocked an ear to the whispers in the next room.”

Ear candy

  • Meaning: Music or sound that is very pleasant to listen to but not necessarily intellectually stimulating.
  • Example: “That song is total ear candy; I love the tune!”

Ear to the wall

  • Meaning: Eavesdropping or listening secretly to a conversation.
  • Example: “I had my ear to the wall and heard the entire plan.”

Fall on deaf ears

  • Meaning: When a suggestion or complaint is ignored.
  • Example: “My advice seemed to fall on deaf ears.”

Give Someone an Earful

  • Meaning: To scold or criticize them severely.
  • Example: “He was late to the meeting, and she gave him an earful.”

Have an ear for music

  • Meaning: To have a natural ability to understand and distinguish the nuances of musical sounds.
  • Example: “She can play almost any piece by ear; she really has an ear for music.”

Have ears burning

  • Meaning: The sensation that others are talking about you.
  • Example: “Whenever they whispered, I had my ears burning, wondering if they were gossiping about me.”

In one ear and out the other

  • Meaning: Someone hears something but promptly forgets it or disregards it.
  • Example: “I tell him things all the time, but it goes in one ear and out the other.”

I’m All Ears

  • Meaning: Ready and eager to listen.
  • Example: “You have news about the job? I’m all ears.“

Keep your ear to the ground

  • Meaning: Be well-informed or anticipate events by paying close attention.
  • Example: “We need to keep our ear to the ground regarding market trends.”

Lend an Ear

  • Meaning: To listen to someone, usually giving them comfort.
  • Example: “I’ll always lend an ear if you need to talk.”

Music to my ears

  • Meaning: Information that is pleasing to hear.
  • Example: “Your approval is music to my ears.”

Play It by Ear

  • Meaning: To do something without careful planning, respond to events as they unfold.
  • Example: “Let’s not make a fixed plan for Saturday; we’ll just play it by ear.“

That’s Music to My Ears

  • Meaning: Used to express that one has heard something very pleasing or agreeable.
  • Example: “You got the promotion? That’s music to our ears!”

The Walls Have Ears

  • Meaning: Be careful about what you say as people may be eavesdropping.
  • Example: “Speak quietly; the walls have ears in this office.”

Turn a deaf ear

  • Meaning: To intentionally ignore someone or something.
  • Example: “Management often turns a deaf ear to employees’ concerns.”

Up to one’s ears

  • Meaning: To be very busy or deeply involved in something.
  • Example: “I can’t come out this weekend; I’m up to my ears in work.”

Wet Behind the Ears

  • Meaning: To be young and inexperienced.
  • Example: “He’s a bit wet behind the ears, but he’ll learn the ropes quickly.”

Interactive Exercises with Idioms about Ears

Exercise 1: Choose the correct idiom to complete each sentence.

a) I’m willing to listen and ___________ to anything you have to say.

  1. All Ears
  2. Give Someone an Earful
  3. I’m All Ears
  4. Lend an Ear

b) I was ___________ when my boss found out I missed the deadline.

  1. All Ears
  2. Give Someone an Earful
  3. I’m All Ears
  4. Lend an Ear

c) ___________ if you need to talk about anything.

  1. All Ears
  2. Give Someone an Earful
  3. I’m All Ears
  4. Lend an Ear

d) I’m happy to ___________ if you need to vent or share your thoughts.

  1. All Ears
  2. Give Someone an Earful
  3. I’m All Ears
  4. Lend an Ear

Exercise 2: Choose the correct idiom to complete each sentence.

a) I’m ___________ about what to do next.

b) Hearing good news is always ___________.

c) Be careful what you say, ___________.

d) He’s still ___________ and needs more experience.

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  • a. All Ears
  • b.Give Someone an Earful
  • c. I’m All Ears
  • d. Lend an Ear

Exercise 2:

  • Play It by Ear
  • That’s Music to My Ears
  • The Walls Have Ears
  • Wet Behind the Ear

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