Welcome to our fun exploration of English idioms that include the word “ear”! Idioms are phrases that mean something different from what the words say. They make language exciting and can be a bit tricky to understand, but don’t worry—we’ll explain them simply so even kids can get the hang of it!
Ear Idioms
Here are 20 ear idioms in English.
1. All ears
Meaning: Fully listening.
Example: I’m all ears, tell me your story.
2. Music to my ears
Meaning: Very pleasant to hear.
Example: Your praise is music to my ears.
3. Ear to the ground
Meaning: Stay informed or aware.
Example: Keep an ear to the ground for news.
4. Bend an ear
Meaning: Listen to someone’s story or problem.
Example: Can you bend an ear for a minute?
5. Play it by ear
Meaning: Improvise, go without planning.
Example: Let’s play it by ear at the meeting.
6. Have an ear for
Meaning: Be good at noticing sounds.
Example: She has an ear for music.
7. Wet behind the ears
Meaning: Inexperienced or immature.
Example: He’s still wet behind the ears.
8. Earful
Meaning: A lot of information or criticism.
Example: I got an earful from my boss.
9. Give ear to
Meaning: Listen or pay attention.
Example: Give ear to his advice.
10. Up to one’s ears
Meaning: Very busy with something.
Example: I’m up to my ears in homework.
11. Turn a deaf ear
Meaning: Ignore someone deliberately.
Example: She turned a deaf ear to the gossip.
12. Box someone’s ears
Meaning: To hit someone on the head.
Example: Don’t make me box your ears!
13. Out on one’s ear
Meaning: Thrown out; expelled.
Example: He was out on his ear after the fight.
14. Earworm
Meaning: A catchy piece of music.
Example: That song is a real earworm.
15. In one ear and #out the other
Meaning: Quickly forgotten.
Example: His advice went in one ear and out the other.
16. Lend an ear
Meaning: Listen carefully and sympathetically.
Example: Lend an ear to her problems.
17. A word in your ear
Meaning: Private information to share.
Example: Let me have a word in your ear.
18. Pin your ears back
Meaning: Listen carefully; pay attention.
Example: Pin your ears back, this is important.
19. Walls have ears
Meaning: Be careful as people may be eavesdropping.
Example: Speak softly; walls have ears.
20. Clear the earwax out of one’s ears
Meaning: Listen more attentively.
Example: Clear the earwax out and listen up!
