Ears do more than help us hear. They also appear in many sayings people use every day. These special phrases are called idioms. Idioms don’t mean exactly what the words say. For example, if someone says, “I’m all ears,” they don’t mean their body is made of ears. They mean they are ready to listen.
In this article, we’ll learn fun and useful idioms that include the word “ears.” These idioms can help us understand what others are saying and make our own speech more colorful. You’ll find out what these phrases mean and how to use them. Let’s get started and have fun learning about ears in a whole new way.
Idioms about Ears
1. All ears
Meaning: Ready to listen carefully.
Within a Sentence: I’m all ears if you want to talk. / My teacher said, “Be all ears!”
In Other Words: I’m listening. / I want to hear what you have to say.
2. Music to my ears
Meaning: Something very pleasant to hear.
Within a Sentence: The news of no homework was music to my ears. / “Pizza for dinner?” Music to my ears!
In Other Words: That sounds great. / I’m happy to hear that.
3. Turn a deaf ear
Meaning: To ignore someone or something.
Within a Sentence: He turned a deaf ear to my warning. / I told her twice, but she turned a deaf ear.
In Other Words: He didn’t listen. / She ignored me.
4. Play it by ear
Meaning: To decide what to do later.
Within a Sentence: Let’s play it by ear and see if it rains. / I’m not sure what we’ll do, play it by ear.
In Other Words: We’ll wait and see. / We’ll decide as we go.
5. Keep your ears open
Meaning: Listen carefully for something.
Within a Sentence: Keep your ears open for the ice cream truck. / She told me to keep my ears open for the bell.
In Other Words: Listen closely. / Be alert.
6. In one ear and out the other
Meaning: Not remembered or listened to.
Within a Sentence: My mom said to clean my room, but it went in one ear and out the other. / His advice went in one ear and out the other.
In Other Words: I didn’t really listen. / I forgot right away.
7. Wet behind the ears
Meaning: Young or new at something.
Within a Sentence: He’s still wet behind the ears at this job. / I was wet behind the ears when I first joined the team.
In Other Words: I was new. / He still has a lot to learn.
8. Out on your ear
Meaning: To be removed or kicked out.
Within a Sentence: He was out on his ear after being rude. / You’ll be out on your ear if you don’t follow the rules.
In Other Words: He got kicked out. / You could be removed.
9. Eavesdrop
Meaning: To secretly listen to others.
Within a Sentence: Don’t eavesdrop on their conversation. / I caught him eavesdropping at the door.
In Other Words: He was secretly listening. / That’s spying.
10. Ears are burning
Meaning: Someone is talking about you.
Within a Sentence: My ears are burning. Were you talking about me? / When I walked in, I said, “My ears are burning!”
In Other Words: I think I was just mentioned. / You were gossiping about me.
11. Prick up your ears
Meaning: To suddenly start listening with interest.
Within a Sentence: I pricked up my ears when I heard “free candy.” / The class pricked up their ears when she said, “No quiz today.”
In Other Words: I started listening carefully. / Everyone got interested.
12. Fall on deaf ears
Meaning: Not listened to or ignored.
Within a Sentence: My warning fell on deaf ears. / His advice fell on deaf ears again.
In Other Words: No one paid attention. / It was ignored.
13. Have big ears
Meaning: To listen to things not meant for you.
Within a Sentence: Be quiet, little kids have big ears. / Don’t talk about surprises, someone might have big ears.
In Other Words: Someone might be listening. / Kids are hearing more than you think.
14. Have an ear for
Meaning: To be good at hearing or understanding something, like music.
Within a Sentence: She has an ear for music. / He has an ear for language.
In Other Words: She’s good at music. / He learns words easily.
15. Give someone an earful
Meaning: To talk angrily to someone.
Within a Sentence: Dad gave me an earful for breaking the window. / The coach gave us an earful after the game.
In Other Words: He scolded me. / We got a big lecture.
16. Grin from ear to ear
Meaning: To smile very widely.
Within a Sentence: She grinned from ear to ear when she saw her gift. / I was grinning from ear to ear after winning.
In Other Words: She smiled big. / I was very happy.
17. Have someone’s ear
Meaning: They will listen to you.
Within a Sentence: She has the teacher’s ear. / He has the boss’s ear on this issue.
In Other Words: The teacher listens to her. / The boss listens to him.
18. Talk someone’s ear off
Meaning: To talk too much.
Within a Sentence: He talked my ear off about video games. / She talked my ear off on the phone.
In Other Words: He wouldn’t stop talking. / She talked a lot.
19. Bend someone’s ear
Meaning: To talk to someone for a long time, often about a problem.
Within a Sentence: I bent her ear about my grades. / He bent my ear about his new puppy.
In Other Words: I talked a lot. / He shared a lot with me.
20. Give ear to
Meaning: To listen to carefully.
Within a Sentence: Give ear to your teacher’s words. / She gave ear to the wise old man.
In Other Words: Listen closely. / Pay attention.
21. Up to your ears
Meaning: Very busy or involved.
Within a Sentence: I’m up to my ears in homework. / She’s up to her ears in chores.
In Other Words: I have too much to do. / She’s very busy.
22. Be all ears and no action
Meaning: Listens but doesn’t do anything.
Within a Sentence: He’s all ears and no action with his chores. / She said she’d help, but she was all ears and no action.
In Other Words: He listens but doesn’t help. / She didn’t follow through.
23. Close to the ear
Meaning: Spoken in a low voice or whisper.
Within a Sentence: He told me close to the ear so no one else could hear. / She leaned in and spoke close to my ear.
In Other Words: Quiet whisper. / Very soft speaking.
24. Blow in someone’s ear
Meaning: To try to charm or flatter.
Within a Sentence: He tried to blow in her ear with sweet talk. / Don’t let him blow in your ear with fake praise.
In Other Words: He was trying to charm her. / Don’t fall for flattery.
25. Have ears like a bat
Meaning: To hear very well.
Within a Sentence: She has ears like a bat, she heard us from across the room. / He has ears like a bat during hide-and-seek.
In Other Words: She hears really well. / He picks up every sound.
26. Make your ears ring
Meaning: Something very loud or annoying.
Within a Sentence: That fire alarm made my ears ring. / Her scream made my ears ring.
In Other Words: It was really loud. / My ears hurt from the noise.
27. Not believe your ears
Meaning: To be surprised by what you hear.
Within a Sentence: I couldn’t believe my ears when I won. / You won the prize? I don’t believe my ears!
In Other Words: I was shocked. / That was unexpected.
28. Turn up your hearing
Meaning: To pay closer attention.
Within a Sentence: Turn up your hearing when she gives directions. / He told me to turn up my hearing during the story.
In Other Words: Listen better. / Focus more.
29. Have selective hearing
Meaning: Only hear what you want.
Within a Sentence: He has selective hearing when it comes to chores. / I think she has selective hearing in class.
In Other Words: He ignores what he doesn’t like. / She tunes things out.
30. Have ears everywhere
Meaning: Hear things from many places or people.
Within a Sentence: Teachers have ears everywhere! / She knew my secret must have ears everywhere.
In Other Words: They hear everything. / They get all the info.
31. Buzz in your ear
Meaning: A voice or sound that keeps repeating.
Within a Sentence: Her reminder buzzed in my ear all day. / His words kept buzzing in my ear.
In Other Words: I couldn’t stop hearing it. / It stayed in my mind.
32. In your ear
Meaning: Very close while speaking.
Within a Sentence: He was in my ear all lunchtime. / The coach was in her ear the whole game.
In Other Words: Talking nonstop. / Always giving advice.
33. Ears glued to something
Meaning: Listening very closely.
Within a Sentence: Their ears were glued to the speaker. / My ears were glued to the music.
In Other Words: I was paying full attention. / I didn’t miss a word.
34. A bug in your ear
Meaning: A thought or idea that keeps coming back.
Within a Sentence: She put a bug in my ear about joining the club. / His story left a bug in my ear.
In Other Words: I kept thinking about it. / It stuck with me.
35. Ears wide open
Meaning: Listening carefully.
Within a Sentence: I had my ears wide open during the test review. / Her ears were wide open when Grandma told stories.
In Other Words: I was listening well. / She didn’t miss a word.
36. Raise eyebrows and ears
Meaning: Get attention by surprise.
Within a Sentence: That noise raised both eyebrows and ears. / His words raised eyebrows and ears at the table.
In Other Words: Everyone was surprised. / People started listening.
37. Cup your ear
Meaning: Use your hand to help hear better.
Within a Sentence: Grandpa cupped his ear to hear the TV. / I cupped my ear at the concert.
In Other Words: Tried to hear more. / Used my hand to listen.
38. Ears standing tall
Meaning: Listening with alertness.
Within a Sentence: My ears were standing tall when she said “prizes.” / His ears stood tall during the surprise announcement.
In Other Words: I was alert. / I listened right away.
39. Ears perked up
Meaning: Start paying attention suddenly.
Within a Sentence: My ears perked up at the word “recess.” / His ears perked up when they mentioned pizza.
In Other Words: I got interested fast. / He focused quickly.
40. Ears on fire
Meaning: Feeling embarrassed or talked about.
Within a Sentence: My ears were on fire after the joke. / Her ears were on fire when they teased her.
In Other Words: I was embarrassed. / She felt shy.
41. Catch something by ear
Meaning: Hear something by chance.
Within a Sentence: I caught the news by ear in the hallway. / He caught her secret by ear.
In Other Words: I overheard it. / He wasn’t supposed to hear it.
42. Keep your ear to the ground
Meaning: Stay informed or alert.
Within a Sentence: Keep your ear to the ground for the lunch menu. / She kept her ear to the ground about the test.
In Other Words: Listen for news. / Stay alert.
43. Lend an ear
Meaning: Listen to someone kindly.
Within a Sentence: She lent an ear when I was sad. / He’s always ready to lend an ear.
In Other Words: She listened to help. / He cares and listens.
44. Bite your ear
Meaning: To bother someone often (rare).
Within a Sentence: My brother keeps biting my ear about the game. / She bit my ear all morning about the concert.
In Other Words: He kept bugging me. / She wouldn’t stop.
45. Let it go in one ear
Meaning: Not take it seriously.
Within a Sentence: I let her teasing go in one ear. / He lets rules go in one ear.
In Other Words: I didn’t care. / He doesn’t follow them.
46. Earful of truth
Meaning: Hearing something honest, even if it’s hard.
Within a Sentence: Mom gave me an earful of truth about my grades. / The coach gave us an earful of truth.
In Other Words: She told it like it is. / He gave real feedback.
47. Put your ear on it
Meaning: Try to hear carefully.
Within a Sentence: Put your ear on the door to hear the music. / I put my ear on the wall.
In Other Words: Try to listen. / Get closer to the sound.
48. Have your ear chewed off
Meaning: Someone talks too much to you.
Within a Sentence: He chewed my ear off about his weekend. / I got my ear chewed off at the party.
In Other Words: I heard too much. / They talked a lot.
49. Ear-catcher
Meaning: Something that grabs attention by sound.
Within a Sentence: That song is an ear-catcher. / Her voice is a real ear-catcher.
In Other Words: It sounds great. / It gets noticed fast.
50. Give an ear to gossip
Meaning: Listen to rumors.
Within a Sentence: Don’t give ear to gossip. / She gave an ear to gossip about the new kid.
In Other Words: Don’t listen to bad talk. / She listened to rumors.
51. Pull on your ear
Meaning: Signal quietly or warn.
Within a Sentence: He pulled on his ear to warn me. / She pulled her ear to get my attention.
In Other Words: It was a quiet sign. / A secret signal.
52. Ears on the wall
Meaning: People might be listening.
Within a Sentence: Talk softly there are ears on the wall. / They said it quietly because of ears on the wall.
In Other Words: Be careful who hears. / Someone could be listening.
53. Ear guard
Meaning: Someone who blocks out bad things heard.
Within a Sentence: My friend is like an ear guard, he keeps the gossip away. / Mom is my ear guard when people say mean things.
In Other Words: He protects what I hear. / She helps block the bad talk.
54. With half an ear
Meaning: Not listening fully.
Within a Sentence: I was listening with half an ear while drawing. / She heard the song with half an ear.
In Other Words: Not paying full attention. / Only half-listening.
55. Ears flapping
Meaning: Someone trying hard to listen.
Within a Sentence: The kid had his ears flapping at the keyhole. / I saw her ears flapping near the door.
In Other Words: She was trying to hear. / He was eavesdropping.
56. Between the ears
Meaning: Refers to someone’s thinking or brain.
Within a Sentence: He’s smart, good stuff between the ears. / She has a lot going on between the ears.
In Other Words: He thinks well. / She’s clever.
57. Have ears wide shut
Meaning: Refusing to listen.
Within a Sentence: He had ears wide shut when I warned him. / She had her ears wide shut all day.
In Other Words: He wouldn’t listen. / She ignored everyone.
58. Ear magnet
Meaning: A sound that draws people in.
Within a Sentence: That song is an ear magnet! / His story was an ear magnet for the kids.
In Other Words: It pulls people in. / They love listening.
59. Listen with your whole ear
Meaning: Pay full attention.
Within a Sentence: Listen with your whole ear during safety talks. / She listens with her whole ear in class.
In Other Words: Focus well. / Don’t miss anything.
60. Lift your ears
Meaning: Get ready to hear something important.
Within a Sentence: Lift your ears, this is the best part. / I lifted my ears when the coach spoke.
In Other Words: Pay attention now. / Get ready to listen.
Idioms about Ears – True/False Quiz
- If someone says “I’m all ears,” it means they don’t want to listen.
True / False - “Music to my ears” means something sounds very nice or makes you happy.
True / False - When something goes “in one ear and out the other,” the person remembers it well.
True / False - “Play it by ear” means you have a full plan for everything.
True / False - If your “ears are burning,” someone might be talking about you.
True / False - “Talk your ear off” means someone talks a lot.
True / False - “Turn a deaf ear” means to listen carefully.
True / False - If someone is “wet behind the ears,” they are very experienced.
True / False - “Up to your ears” means you are very busy.
True / False - If someone “grins from ear to ear,” they are probably very happy.
True / False - “Keep your ears open” means you should ignore everything.
True / False - “Give someone an earful” means to tell them something nice and gentle.
True / False - “Prick up your ears” means to start listening more carefully.
True / False - “Bend someone’s ear” means to pull on their ear.
True / False - “Lend an ear” means to be a good listener.
True / False
Answer Key
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- True
- False
- False
- True
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
Scoring Guide
- 15 Correct Answers: Idiom Master!
- 10–14 Correct Answers: You really get Idioms, nice work!
- 6–9 Correct Answers: You’re learning, keep going!
- 0–5 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Idioms together!
Conclusion
Idioms help us understand language in a fun and clear way. When we talk about ears, we don’t just mean hearing. We use ear idioms to show feelings, attention, or how much we care to listen.
Now that you know these idioms, try using them when you talk or write. They make your words more colorful and interesting. And the next time someone says, “I’m all ears,” you’ll know just what they mean.
