英语词汇“ear”的英英意思、用法、释义、翻译、读音、例句、短语、词组-英语词典

ear¹

noun ɪəɪr

1The organ of hearing and balance in humans and other vertebrates, especially the external part of this.
Example sentencesExamples
- One night, a moth flew into my mom's ear while she was washing dishes.
- Within a few days, he completely lost hearing in his left ear.
- Why scratch your left ear with your right hand?
- I was so embarrassed that I could feel my ears burn red!
- He unconsciously leaned his ear towards the sound reverberating through the guitar and nodded as he tuned.
- Middle ear infections and fluid in the ear are the most common causes of temporary hearing loss in children.
- I'm 31, and got my left ear pierced a couple of years ago.
- Tyler stood out even from this group with five earrings on each ear, two eyebrow rings on each eyebrow, four lip rings, and two tongue pierces.
- Eighteen months on, Oliver, now three, has no hearing in his left ear and limited hearing in his right ear.
- "I don't like this…" he muttered as he placed his sensitive ear against the door.
- "Mom," he said, plugging one ear with his index finger to hear her better.
- Whispering softly into the patient's ear or holding a softly ticking wristwatch close to the ear can be helpful in making a gross evaluation of hearing.
- Faith held the phone to her ear, listened to it ring, and waited for someone to pick up.
- If the growth is large, then it may have caused more damage and this sometimes leads to some loss of hearing in the affected ear.
- So, she settled for plugging one ear with her finger and the other by squishing it against her shoulder.
- I woke with my alarm sounding in my ear like every morning.
- Surgeons are sometimes able to preserve some hearing in the ear being operated on, but this is rare.
- The balancing mechanism in the ear can be tested in various ways using vestibulometric tests.
- Whales and pigeons can hear frequencies of sound far below the capacity of the human ear.
- I noticed that the girl's ears had reddened with embarrassment.
Synonyms
organ of hearing
Scottish &amp Northern English or informal lug
informal earhole
British informal lughole, shell-like
1. 1.1 An organ sensitive to sound in other animals.
  Example sentencesExamples
  There was a wolf sitting on the gleaming linoleum outside the office, head cocked, ears pricked.
  The voice is familiar to her and her cat ears perk up at the sound.
  In many ways, the cetacean ear is radically different from the ear of terrestrial mammals.
  At that point the sensitive hound ears picked up another presence and he bounded over to greet me.
  Suddenly he tensed, his sharp wolf ears picking out movement in the sand.
  They then tattoo the inside of the ear of animals that they spay and neuter so that they do not try to operate more than once on the same stray animal.
  The very sad-looking pooch with one blue eye and one floppy ear on the story lead page is our beloved Luna.
  They have a tragus, which can be folded back to seal the opening of the ear when the animal digs.
  Then she would have leaned over and stroked the mare's neck whispering sweet nothings in her ear as the animal pranced.
  The UK tag will show the flock number followed by the individual animal number and it is recommended that the tag is placed in the left ear of the animal.
2. 1.2in singular An ability to recognize, appreciate, and reproduce sounds, especially music or language.
  an ear for rhythm and melody
  Example sentencesExamples
  He also has an ear for sampling, using horns and steel drums as needed.
  But with near sensory overload of sound, music and colour, not having an ear for the Danish language didn't matter.
  My mom, being the rich socialite that she was, had an ear for gossip.
  The truth is he had no ear at all, and could not even carry a tune.
  I had not a good voice nor, I confess it, a very good ear.
  A sensitive ear for voicing is needed to project the songful melodies effectively wherever they turn up in the texture.
  The duo play multiple instruments and both have an ear for finding rhythm tracks by recording clocks ticking, bells ringing and lawnmowers mowing.
  In fact, it sounded so good that it seemed as though someone with an ear for classical music was at the helm of this company and so we decided to investigate.
  He loves the English language and has a keen ear for its music.
  ‘You know me, Michael, I have an ear for the truth as good as you do,’ Gilbert said.
  Over the years, these keen listeners have developed an ear for every political innuendo and insinuation.
  Mom has a very finely tuned ear for music and languages.
  Brennan has a keen ear for dialogue, and the exchanges between Virginia and her family demonstrate this extremely well.
  It's a major work, an announcement from someone with an eye for beauty amidst squalor and an ear for the very real cadences of very specific slang and dialect.
  Hamilton delighted in Emma's ear for languages and music, and her theatrical flair, and in 1791 he contentedly married her.
  A good sound technician and composer with an instinctive ear for music is vital.
  He's also got a pretty good ear for what makes an ear-pleasing folk song.
  The film was written by Laurence Coriat, who has an ear for the sort of unadorned, matter-of-fact dialogue that says a lot by what it leaves out.
  He was also a magnificent writer with an ear for language and a wonderful imagination, and a fine poet to boot.
  When describing settings, Petry has an eye for details, and when creating characters, an ear for dialogue.
  Synonyms
  appreciation, discrimination, perception, musical taste
3. 1.3 Used to refer to a person's willingness to listen to others.
  she offers a sympathetic ear to worried pet owners
  Example sentencesExamples
  The girl he talked to was a listening ear, someone willing to share in his anxiety about an undeniably unsettling situation.
  What the bride needs more than anything else during this time is someone who will offer a sympathetic ear and practical advice.
  "I'm there as a chaplain to listen with a sympathetic ear to any concerns they may have, " Yee said.
  Vaughn listened with a patient ear, leaning back in his seat, asking a question or two when it was necessary.
  They are offering a sympathetic ear to farmers suffering in the present weather crisis.
  Teenagers caught up in the turmoil of their parents' messy divorce are being offered a sympathetic ear by a new service in Winchester.
  She offers a sympathetic ear and reassuring guidance.
  No matter what you're talking about, the spinning red VRML cube has the patience to sit by and listen with an open ear.
  Just a couple of carefully worded questions, delivered in his soft Welsh voice, and patients would pour out their symptoms to his sympathetic ear.
  He had spent more time around her, doing nice things for her and just offering her a lending ear to listen to her and a shoulder to cry on when she needed it.
  Sometimes you needed a friendly ear to listen to your troubles and worries and tell you that everything was going to be alright.
  The third did offer a sympathetic ear but no practical solutions, other than to suggest to the claimant that he should prioritise his work.
  If I didn't have a shoulder to lean on or a compassionate ear willing to listen to me rant, I might've been tempted to quit.
  As for you, the membership, many of you have offered an ear to listen, time to reflect, and many hours of friendship and support.
  He has been attending the Doctors and Dentists Group for many years, finding it a vital help, offering practical guidance and a sympathetic ear.
  She listened with an eager ear, thirsty for knowledge of a life better than her own.
  Trey listened with a patient ear, only making distance with the receiver when she whined or couldn't make out her blubbering.
  It offered not only a sympathetic ear but also structured advice on what to do next, and helped us through the maze of local authority and social services applications.
  In this instance all I can offer is company, a sympathetic ear and warm hugs - even if only from a distance at the moment.
  He's gone all soppy, crying because he misses Saskia and being a kind ear to listen to all Craig's miserable longings.

The ear of a mammal is composed of three parts. The outer or external ear consists of a fleshy external flap and a tube leading to the eardrum or tympanum. The middle ear is an air-filled cavity connected to the throat, containing three small linked bones that transmit vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. The inner ear is a complex fluid-filled labyrinth including the spiral cochlea (where vibrations are converted to nerve impulses) and the three semicircular canals (forming the organ of balance)

Phrases

be all ears

informal Be listening eagerly.
I'm all ears, tell me about it
Example sentencesExamples
- Kassi tells Liam of how she and Isabelle became friends and Liam is all ears.
- This Wednesday night, in the packed meeting room of the West Richmond Community Centre, the crowd is all ears.
- If Bose's idea has merit, auto manufacturers will be all ears.
- We were all ears after he had announced himself and flashed his warrant card.
- He has been telling versions of his for years, and the media have been all ears.
- As an epileptic, I was all ears and I listened to her telling me her symptoms.
- When Disney approached Stravinsky with the idea of using Le Sacre as part of Fantasia, the composer was all ears.
- Our reporter was all ears, but heard only silence - as the figure was written down and discreetly handed to the magistrates.
- If positive news on cord stem cells continues, doctors, patients, and investors will be all ears.
- The audience were all ears when the teams crooned ditties from the golden 80s.
Synonyms
alert, vigilant, wide awake, aware, watchful, attentive, observant, circumspect, wary, chary, heedful, canny

bring something (down) about one's ears

Bring misfortune on oneself.
she brought her world crashing about her ears

one's ears are burning

One is subconsciously aware of being talked about or criticized.
certain officials in the police department will find their ears are burning before long
Example sentencesExamples
- His name escapes me now, but I hope his ears are burning, wherever he is.

grin (or smile) from ear to ear

Smile broadly.
you'll come out of the show grinning from ear to ear
Example sentencesExamples
- ‘It's all sorted’ Sky replies, smiling from ear to ear.
- ‘It's so exciting to get to meet him,’ she said, smiling from ear to ear as she gripped his hand.
- But before he could answer, Chloe appeared at their table, smiling from ear to ear, with Jason at her side.
- I was smiling from ear to ear as I looked around her room. ‘Sarah?’
- Shivering later from the cold, but smiling from ear to ear, he said he felt ‘excellent, very happy’ about the engagement.
- ‘When we saw her in the pet store, we just knew she was the dog for you,’ my mom continued, smiling from ear to ear.
- I was smiling from ear to ear; I hadn't been that happy in - I hadn't been that happy for years.
- At the end of the evening, Dick was smiling from ear to ear to see just hooks on the walls where his artworks used to hang because that means they have been sold.
- I know Eddie was watching from above that night and I guarantee he was smiling from ear to ear at the respect that was shown to him both from the wrestlers as well as the fans.
- Despite many scrapes and cuts, he was smiling from ear to ear.

have something coming out of one's ears

informal Have a substantial amount of something.
that man's got money coming out of his ears
Example sentencesExamples
- It's the season of mangoes and you probably have them coming out of your ears.
- Ever since coming to New Zealand in June 2000 I've had holidays coming out of my ears.
- I figured that despite having kids coming out of my ears, very little spare cash and a stressful job, on one night a week my guitar and I would work together again.
- ‘I have qualifications coming out of my ears,’ Mr Corbyn said.
- The lads have put everything they have into it and the manager should have accolades coming out of his ears because he has really got the best out of all the players in the squad.
- Each is reportedly a multi-millionaire; both have endorsements coming out of their ears.
- We used to produce so many muck spreaders we had them coming out of our ears, but now we are down to 15 staff and it will be hard to produce one of these machines a week.
- But they do have strikers coming out of their ears and he is probably sixth in the pecking order.
- What with his vast organic outfit at Highgrove, he must have organic vegetables coming out of his ears.
- I think most people here will have plans coming out of their ears and most will say this is just another one.

have someone's ear

Have access to and influence with someone.
he claimed to have the prime minister's ear
Example sentencesExamples
- While we have the president's ear there is another urgent matter which requires sensible discussion and not knee-jerk reactions.
- And if there were no or minimal repercussions for switching to private accounts, you would definitely have my ear.
- But who exactly has the president 's ear on China policy?
- Bisbee was Cooke's aide-de-camp in Omaha, and he had General Cooke's ear and complete access to and responsibility for his correspondence and reports.
- The hawks in Washington have the President 's ear - in Europe, calmer voices are speaking out.
- Your relationship can raise communication barriers with colleagues, if they fear that you are the only one to have the boss's ear.
- But always, before he acts, he listens to a select few who have his ear.
- I doubt I will trust you, but you have my ear for now.
- ‘When you hold a fundraiser, there are certain people who are going to come that want to have your ear,’ says Chan.
- And while Souter is very much his own man, Irvine has his ear.
Synonyms
attention, attentiveness, notice, heed, regard, consideration

have (or keep) an ear to the ground

Be well informed about events and trends.
the good leader has his ear to the ground and will know when real doubts are growing
Example sentencesExamples
- So what if Sven has been keeping an ear to the ground about what might be next for him?
- The experts in transport, who have an ear to the ground, concur that many countries that held on to the railway system have been wiser than the ones that closed them to save money.
- It's there and you can find out if you have your ear to the ground.
- Ultimately, the facility executive should keep an ear to the ground for factors that drive decisions in an organization.
- If you are going to insist on this course of action, then I suggest you keep an ear to the ground and the news; and take this.
- Anyone who truly has their ear to the ground has heard about this band as legend.
- I understand that righteous anger fuels the funny, and that you have to work at keeping an ear to the ground and respond to what the audience wants to hear.
- They kept an ear to the ground and followed up any and every rumour of a new find.
- He's got to be involved, he's got to have his ear to the ground, and he's got to live up to a lot.
- The CEO will expect his chief security officer to have his ear to the ground, to know what's going on at all times and to think ahead.

in one ear and out the other

Heard but quickly forgotten.
whatever he tells me seems to go in one ear and out the other
Example sentencesExamples
- At the moment this, if heard, would go in one ear and out the other.
- Those addresses appear to have gone in one ear and out the other of our bishops.
- Gladwell contends all social epidemics need ‘stickiness’, the quality which stops an idea going in one ear and out the other.
- Is all of this stuff I've been telling y'all over the years simply going in one ear and out the other?
- All the pontificating that will go on between acts and between songs will go in one ear and out the other.
- I didn't even hear her anymore; it was just in one ear and out the other, the same old story that I'm so, so sick of.
- Just telling kids that these services are available will go in one ear and out the other.
- ‘For most people this kind of stuff goes in one ear and out the other,’ said the activist in Columbus.
- I'd been hearing for weeks how dangerous the tribal areas are, getting so many warnings that they've been going in one ear and out the other.
- Sometimes people hear things and it ‘goes in one ear and out the other.’

listen with half an ear

Not give one's full attention.
throughout the meeting Bobby only had listened with half an ear
Example sentencesExamples
- She listened with half an ear while she surveyed her surroundings with boredom.
- Tand yawned, as he listened with half an ear to the goings on.
- He listened with half an ear as everyone was talking about their professions.
- ‘Oh, my, this is interesting,’ said Maria, who had been listening with half an ear until now.
- Michaela only listened with half an ear until she heard Aiden ask her, ‘Michaela, what do you usually do on your birthday?’
- Patrick listened and laughed in the appropriate places, but he only listened with half an ear.
- As they walked off to start their shift, Janey was listening with half an ear to Debi's chatter.
- Midori watched the room warily, only listening with half an ear as she scanned the crowd.
- I watch Claire relate everything to boats and watch you all listen with half an ear.
- ‘I don't know why you do this to yourself every year,’ Claire was saying as I listened with half an ear.

be out on one's ear

informal Be dismissed ignominiously.
if this cheque bounces, you're out on your ear
Example sentencesExamples
- I think in both those cases he might well be out on his ear.
- In due time the supporters, media, and players, it seems, turned against him, and he was out on his ear as the team headed for a summer tour in the US.
- We've lived together for the past two years and certainly if I don't ask her within the next couple of years I'll be out on my ear.
- In Ireland, meanwhile, you can be out on your ear within 28 days and your rent can rise by as much as your landlord likes.
- And then at the end of the season, his contract expires and if he has not done enough to convince the coaches that he can operate at this level, he could be out on his ear.
- I've been having a bit of a laugh with a few of the regulars at the pub about who I'm going to let in if there's a disaster and who is out on their ear.
- Why bother putting myself into this incredibly precarious occupation where I could be out on my ear within a year or two?
- Anyone who creates any problems is out on his ear.
- At the rate he is going, it looks like his strategy could backfire and he could soon be out on his ear.
- She was out on her ear because she misled the public.

reach someone's ears

Be heard or heard about by someone.
the sound of running feet reached my ears
one of those stories reached our ears
Example sentencesExamples
- Exhausted out of reason and numb with pain, Rose pushed and the most beautiful sound in the world reached her ears.
- Individually we can take steps to generally control what sounds reach our ears in the privacy of our home.
- Some of the rumors would reach my children's ears and upset them.
- A voice from the shadows of the room reached my ears.
- The next sound that reached his ears shocked him even more.
- Spektor does, however, constantly employ a trick I consider dirty: She reaches her audience's ears and heartstrings through feigned naivete.
- This cheery news reached my ears via the steam-driven radio the other night.
- The latest rumour to reach Mr Kyaw's ears, however, was an encouraging one.
- They fell out on Vietnam, and Johnson retailed nasty gibes that he knew would reach Lippmann's ears.
- Inside, the sound of a symphony warming up reached her ears.

up to one's ears in

informal Very busy with.
I'm up to my ears in work here
Example sentencesExamples
- Jonah knows very well what a real story is because he was up to his ears in one of the biggest political scandals in history.
- Other times, it can land you both up to your ears in big trouble.
- John is up to his ears in preparing for the march on Saturday - will be a long day.
- According to a debt management firm ‘one in three adults are up to their ears in debt.’
- I was up to my ears in work, and literally talking on two phones at once like a tycoon in an old movie.
- We are up to our ears in taxes, but don't seem to be getting any benefits.
- Those of us in business are up to our ears in dealing with new types of Internet-based customer interactions.
- I know you are all busy with your families, up to your ears in daily problem solving, and that the last thing you need is bad news.
- I came down with a horrible case of the flu and I've been in up to my ears in homework.
- The staff in our accounts department is getting so many orders that they're up to their ears in work.

Derivatives

eared

adjective ɪədɪrd

in combination long-eared

earless

adjective ˈɪələsˈɪrləs

Small, rufous, and earless, the Serendib Scops Owl is quite unlike any other owl in Sri Lanka or anywhere else in the Indian subcontinent.
Example sentencesExamples
- As the ghost spoke, his earless sibling aimed a wand of fire at the stranger and the other one tried to break free of his ‘wrappings’.
- We measured the total nocturnal flight time of 60 individual male moths representing seven species of eared moths and five species of earless moths.
- The tea is poured into earless cups and served with both hands.
- It comes round or oval, lidless and sometimes earless, most often with vertical sides, though in the round version the sides could slope to a small flat base.

Origin

Old English ēare, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch oor and German Ohr, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin auris and Greek ous.

Unsurprisingly, since their meanings are so dissimilar, the ear that allows you to hear and the one that bears seeds are different words. The first is an Old English word that goes right back to an ancient root that was shared by Latin auris, from which we get aural (mid 19th century). The second seems to come ultimately from the same root as Latin acer meaning pointed or sharp. To earmark (late 16th century) something is to set it aside for a particular purpose. Originally, though, it referred to the practice of marking the ear of an animal as a sign of ownership.
You might say that your ears are burning if you are subconsciously aware of being talked about or criticized. This phrase has been around in English since at least the early 1600s, but the idea is an ancient one, which the 1st-century ad Roman scholar Pliny mentioned in his Natural History. In 1738 Jonathan Swift wrote, ‘Miss, didn't your Left Ear burn last Night?…Because…you were extolled to the Skies.’

Rhymes

adhere, Agadir, Anglosphere, appear, arrear, auctioneer, austere, balladeer, bandolier, Bashkir, beer, besmear, bier, blear, bombardier, brigadier, buccaneer, cameleer, career, cashier, cavalier, chandelier, charioteer, cheer, chevalier, chiffonier, clavier, clear, Coetzee, cohere, commandeer, conventioneer, Cordelier, corsetière, Crimea, dear, deer, diarrhoea (US diarrhea), domineer, Dorothea, drear, electioneer, emir, endear, engineer, fear, fleer, Freer, fusilier, gadgeteer, Galatea, gazetteer, gear, gondolier, gonorrhoea (US gonorrhea), Greer, grenadier, hand-rear, hear, here, Hosea, idea, interfere, Izmir, jeer, Judaea, Kashmir, Keir, kir, Korea, Lear, leer, Maria, marketeer, Medea, Meir, Melilla, mere, Mia, Mir, mishear, mountaineer, muleteer, musketeer, mutineer, near, orienteer, pamphleteer, panacea, paneer, peer, persevere, pier, Pierre, pioneer, pistoleer, privateer, profiteer, puppeteer, racketeer, ratafia, rear, revere, rhea, rocketeer, Sapir, scrutineer, sear, seer, sere, severe, Shamir, shear, sheer, sincere, smear, sneer, sonneteer, souvenir, spear, sphere, steer, stere, summiteer, Tangier, tear, tier, Trier, Tyr, veer, veneer, Vere, Vermeer, vizier, volunteer, Wear, weir, we're, year, Zaïre

ear²

noun ɪəɪr

1The seed-bearing head or spike of a cereal plant.
Example sentencesExamples
- Multiple endosperms from a single ear were combined for analysis.
- In half of the plants, sink size was reduced by retaining only the five central spikelets of an ear.
- In the case of cereals, grain is the primary yield and total production depends on the number of plants per area, tillers per plant, number of ears per tiller, grains per ear and mass per grain.
- This ear to ear variation was probably due largely to sporadic male sterility which resulted in a small but apparently significant reduction in the number of grains per ear in some plants.
- Measurements were conducted at 20°C at the second leaf of seedlings and at 25°C at the second leaf above the ear during flowering.
- The A158 ear always has paired spikelets, one sessile and one pedicellate.
- The number of nodes on the most apical branch, which is an ear in normal plants, was counted.
- In this case, the phenotypic description included the measurements of the length of the awn considering those of the more distal spikelets of the ear.
- The new growth - the young ear and stem segments of SS-FP was significantly slowed by the canopy cover.
- It is most noticeable as grayish black galls on the ear of the plant.
- The data from these five populations, each planted from an individual ear, are presented in Table 8.
- There was no significant difference in grain number per ear observed in unstressed plants of mutants.
- Plants were allowed to open-pollinate and all measurements were taken on plants with a fertilized ear.
1. 1.1North American A head of maize.
  Example sentencesExamples
  By sticking an ear of dried corn on top, he lured squirrels to charge up the board and then spin around for a dizzying ride.
  With a sharp knife, slide the blade down the ear of corn removing kernels.
  When an ear of corn is broken in half, the tip half shows the smooth endosperm.
  And oh yeah, save her an ear of roasted corn and a cold frosty one for me, would ya?
  In the piles were 10 red ears of corn and whoever found a red ear of corn got to kiss whoever they wanted to.
  Raccoons' habit of moving on to the next ear of corn before finishing the first makes them especially damaging to fields of both sweet corn and field corn.
  Virgo has been depicted as a winged maiden holding a palm branch in her left hand and an ear of corn in her right.
  Place two potatoes, one lobster, a half pound clams and one ear corn on each piece.
  The dignity inherent in the farmer's labour is enhanced rather than diminished as he turns every tenth ear of corn over to support those who labour in a different field.
  An average ear of corn weighs from 10 to 14 ounces and yields about 1 cup of kernels.
  Place the ear of corn into a saucepan and cover with water.
  Until I do, keep an eye out for me at the movies, in the record shops, or simply in the supermarket shopping for a good ear of sweet corn.
  Hold the husked ear of corn upright in a deep, wide bowl.
  Last year I had corn earworm damage in just about every ear.

Origin

Old English ēar, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch aar and German Ähre.

ear¹

nounɪrir

1The organ of hearing and balance in humans and other vertebrates, especially the external part of this.
The ear of a mammal is composed of three parts. The outer or external ear consists of a fleshy external flap and a tube leading to the eardrum or tympanum. The middle ear is an air-filled cavity connected to the throat, containing three small linked bones that transmit vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. The inner ear is a complex fluid-filled labyrinth including the spiral cochlea (where vibrations are converted to nerve impulses) and the three semicircular canals (forming the organ of balance). The ears of other vertebrates are broadly similar
Example sentencesExamples
- So, she settled for plugging one ear with her finger and the other by squishing it against her shoulder.
- The balancing mechanism in the ear can be tested in various ways using vestibulometric tests.
- Why scratch your left ear with your right hand?
- I noticed that the girl's ears had reddened with embarrassment.
- Whispering softly into the patient's ear or holding a softly ticking wristwatch close to the ear can be helpful in making a gross evaluation of hearing.
- Surgeons are sometimes able to preserve some hearing in the ear being operated on, but this is rare.
- Within a few days, he completely lost hearing in his left ear.
- If the growth is large, then it may have caused more damage and this sometimes leads to some loss of hearing in the affected ear.
- "I don't like this…" he muttered as he placed his sensitive ear against the door.
- Middle ear infections and fluid in the ear are the most common causes of temporary hearing loss in children.
- He unconsciously leaned his ear towards the sound reverberating through the guitar and nodded as he tuned.
- Whales and pigeons can hear frequencies of sound far below the capacity of the human ear.
- "Mom," he said, plugging one ear with his index finger to hear her better.
- Eighteen months on, Oliver, now three, has no hearing in his left ear and limited hearing in his right ear.
- Faith held the phone to her ear, listened to it ring, and waited for someone to pick up.
- I woke with my alarm sounding in my ear like every morning.
- Tyler stood out even from this group with five earrings on each ear, two eyebrow rings on each eyebrow, four lip rings, and two tongue pierces.
- One night, a moth flew into my mom's ear while she was washing dishes.
- I'm 31, and got my left ear pierced a couple of years ago.
- I was so embarrassed that I could feel my ears burn red!
Synonyms
organ of hearing
1. 1.1 An organ sensitive to sound in other animals.
  Example sentencesExamples
  The voice is familiar to her and her cat ears perk up at the sound.
  Then she would have leaned over and stroked the mare's neck whispering sweet nothings in her ear as the animal pranced.
  At that point the sensitive hound ears picked up another presence and he bounded over to greet me.
  The UK tag will show the flock number followed by the individual animal number and it is recommended that the tag is placed in the left ear of the animal.
  They then tattoo the inside of the ear of animals that they spay and neuter so that they do not try to operate more than once on the same stray animal.
  They have a tragus, which can be folded back to seal the opening of the ear when the animal digs.
  The very sad-looking pooch with one blue eye and one floppy ear on the story lead page is our beloved Luna.
  In many ways, the cetacean ear is radically different from the ear of terrestrial mammals.
  Suddenly he tensed, his sharp wolf ears picking out movement in the sand.
  There was a wolf sitting on the gleaming linoleum outside the office, head cocked, ears pricked.
2. 1.2in singular An ability to recognize, appreciate, and reproduce sounds, especially music or language.
  an ear for melody
  Example sentencesExamples
  He's also got a pretty good ear for what makes an ear-pleasing folk song.
  Mom has a very finely tuned ear for music and languages.
  A sensitive ear for voicing is needed to project the songful melodies effectively wherever they turn up in the texture.
  But with near sensory overload of sound, music and colour, not having an ear for the Danish language didn't matter.
  It's a major work, an announcement from someone with an eye for beauty amidst squalor and an ear for the very real cadences of very specific slang and dialect.
  A good sound technician and composer with an instinctive ear for music is vital.
  Brennan has a keen ear for dialogue, and the exchanges between Virginia and her family demonstrate this extremely well.
  Hamilton delighted in Emma's ear for languages and music, and her theatrical flair, and in 1791 he contentedly married her.
  Over the years, these keen listeners have developed an ear for every political innuendo and insinuation.
  He loves the English language and has a keen ear for its music.
  In fact, it sounded so good that it seemed as though someone with an ear for classical music was at the helm of this company and so we decided to investigate.
  He was also a magnificent writer with an ear for language and a wonderful imagination, and a fine poet to boot.
  The truth is he had no ear at all, and could not even carry a tune.
  When describing settings, Petry has an eye for details, and when creating characters, an ear for dialogue.
  The duo play multiple instruments and both have an ear for finding rhythm tracks by recording clocks ticking, bells ringing and lawnmowers mowing.
  My mom, being the rich socialite that she was, had an ear for gossip.
  The film was written by Laurence Coriat, who has an ear for the sort of unadorned, matter-of-fact dialogue that says a lot by what it leaves out.
  ‘You know me, Michael, I have an ear for the truth as good as you do,’ Gilbert said.
  He also has an ear for sampling, using horns and steel drums as needed.
  I had not a good voice nor, I confess it, a very good ear.
  Synonyms
  appreciation, discrimination, perception, musical taste
3. 1.3 Used to refer to a person's willingness to listen and pay attention to something.
  she offers a sympathetic ear to worried pet owners
  Example sentencesExamples
  The third did offer a sympathetic ear but no practical solutions, other than to suggest to the claimant that he should prioritise his work.
  It offered not only a sympathetic ear but also structured advice on what to do next, and helped us through the maze of local authority and social services applications.
  He's gone all soppy, crying because he misses Saskia and being a kind ear to listen to all Craig's miserable longings.
  Trey listened with a patient ear, only making distance with the receiver when she whined or couldn't make out her blubbering.
  Just a couple of carefully worded questions, delivered in his soft Welsh voice, and patients would pour out their symptoms to his sympathetic ear.
  No matter what you're talking about, the spinning red VRML cube has the patience to sit by and listen with an open ear.
  She listened with an eager ear, thirsty for knowledge of a life better than her own.
  The girl he talked to was a listening ear, someone willing to share in his anxiety about an undeniably unsettling situation.
  She offers a sympathetic ear and reassuring guidance.
  He has been attending the Doctors and Dentists Group for many years, finding it a vital help, offering practical guidance and a sympathetic ear.
  Sometimes you needed a friendly ear to listen to your troubles and worries and tell you that everything was going to be alright.
  What the bride needs more than anything else during this time is someone who will offer a sympathetic ear and practical advice.
  They are offering a sympathetic ear to farmers suffering in the present weather crisis.
  He had spent more time around her, doing nice things for her and just offering her a lending ear to listen to her and a shoulder to cry on when she needed it.
  "I'm there as a chaplain to listen with a sympathetic ear to any concerns they may have, " Yee said.
  Teenagers caught up in the turmoil of their parents' messy divorce are being offered a sympathetic ear by a new service in Winchester.
  In this instance all I can offer is company, a sympathetic ear and warm hugs - even if only from a distance at the moment.
  If I didn't have a shoulder to lean on or a compassionate ear willing to listen to me rant, I might've been tempted to quit.
  Vaughn listened with a patient ear, leaning back in his seat, asking a question or two when it was necessary.
  As for you, the membership, many of you have offered an ear to listen, time to reflect, and many hours of friendship and support.
4. 1.4 An ear-shaped thing, especially the handle of a jug.

Phrases

be all ears

informal Be listening eagerly and attentively.
Example sentencesExamples
- He has been telling versions of his for years, and the media have been all ears.
- We were all ears after he had announced himself and flashed his warrant card.
- If Bose's idea has merit, auto manufacturers will be all ears.
- Kassi tells Liam of how she and Isabelle became friends and Liam is all ears.
- When Disney approached Stravinsky with the idea of using Le Sacre as part of Fantasia, the composer was all ears.
- Our reporter was all ears, but heard only silence - as the figure was written down and discreetly handed to the magistrates.
- This Wednesday night, in the packed meeting room of the West Richmond Community Centre, the crowd is all ears.
- The audience were all ears when the teams crooned ditties from the golden 80s.
- As an epileptic, I was all ears and I listened to her telling me her symptoms.
- If positive news on cord stem cells continues, doctors, patients, and investors will be all ears.
Synonyms
alert, vigilant, wide awake, aware, watchful, attentive, observant, circumspect, wary, chary, heedful, canny

bring something (down) about one's ears

Bring misfortune on oneself.
she brought her world crashing about her ears

one's ears are burning

One is subconsciously aware of being talked about or criticized.
Example sentencesExamples
- His name escapes me now, but I hope his ears are burning, wherever he is.

grin (or smile) from ear to ear

Smile broadly.
Example sentencesExamples
- But before he could answer, Chloe appeared at their table, smiling from ear to ear, with Jason at her side.
- I was smiling from ear to ear as I looked around her room. ‘Sarah?’
- I was smiling from ear to ear; I hadn't been that happy in - I hadn't been that happy for years.
- I know Eddie was watching from above that night and I guarantee he was smiling from ear to ear at the respect that was shown to him both from the wrestlers as well as the fans.
- At the end of the evening, Dick was smiling from ear to ear to see just hooks on the walls where his artworks used to hang because that means they have been sold.
- ‘It's so exciting to get to meet him,’ she said, smiling from ear to ear as she gripped his hand.
- ‘When we saw her in the pet store, we just knew she was the dog for you,’ my mom continued, smiling from ear to ear.
- Despite many scrapes and cuts, he was smiling from ear to ear.
- Shivering later from the cold, but smiling from ear to ear, he said he felt ‘excellent, very happy’ about the engagement.
- ‘It's all sorted’ Sky replies, smiling from ear to ear.

have something coming out of one's ears

informal Have a substantial or excessive amount of something.
that man's got money coming out of his ears
Example sentencesExamples
- ‘I have qualifications coming out of my ears,’ Mr Corbyn said.
- We used to produce so many muck spreaders we had them coming out of our ears, but now we are down to 15 staff and it will be hard to produce one of these machines a week.
- Each is reportedly a multi-millionaire; both have endorsements coming out of their ears.
- It's the season of mangoes and you probably have them coming out of your ears.
- Ever since coming to New Zealand in June 2000 I've had holidays coming out of my ears.
- The lads have put everything they have into it and the manager should have accolades coming out of his ears because he has really got the best out of all the players in the squad.
- I figured that despite having kids coming out of my ears, very little spare cash and a stressful job, on one night a week my guitar and I would work together again.
- What with his vast organic outfit at Highgrove, he must have organic vegetables coming out of his ears.
- I think most people here will have plans coming out of their ears and most will say this is just another one.
- But they do have strikers coming out of their ears and he is probably sixth in the pecking order.

have someone's ear

Have access to and influence with someone.
he claimed to have the prime minister's ear
Example sentencesExamples
- Bisbee was Cooke's aide-de-camp in Omaha, and he had General Cooke's ear and complete access to and responsibility for his correspondence and reports.
- While we have the president's ear there is another urgent matter which requires sensible discussion and not knee-jerk reactions.
- And if there were no or minimal repercussions for switching to private accounts, you would definitely have my ear.
- But who exactly has the president 's ear on China policy?
- The hawks in Washington have the President 's ear - in Europe, calmer voices are speaking out.
- ‘When you hold a fundraiser, there are certain people who are going to come that want to have your ear,’ says Chan.
- And while Souter is very much his own man, Irvine has his ear.
- But always, before he acts, he listens to a select few who have his ear.
- I doubt I will trust you, but you have my ear for now.
- Your relationship can raise communication barriers with colleagues, if they fear that you are the only one to have the boss's ear.
Synonyms
attention, attentiveness, notice, heed, regard, consideration

have (or keep) an ear to the ground

Be well informed about events and trends.
Example sentencesExamples
- The experts in transport, who have an ear to the ground, concur that many countries that held on to the railway system have been wiser than the ones that closed them to save money.
- It's there and you can find out if you have your ear to the ground.
- The CEO will expect his chief security officer to have his ear to the ground, to know what's going on at all times and to think ahead.
- Anyone who truly has their ear to the ground has heard about this band as legend.
- If you are going to insist on this course of action, then I suggest you keep an ear to the ground and the news; and take this.
- So what if Sven has been keeping an ear to the ground about what might be next for him?
- Ultimately, the facility executive should keep an ear to the ground for factors that drive decisions in an organization.
- They kept an ear to the ground and followed up any and every rumour of a new find.
- He's got to be involved, he's got to have his ear to the ground, and he's got to live up to a lot.
- I understand that righteous anger fuels the funny, and that you have to work at keeping an ear to the ground and respond to what the audience wants to hear.

in one ear and out the other

Heard but disregarded or quickly forgotten.
whatever he tells me seems to go in one ear and out the other
Example sentencesExamples
- All the pontificating that will go on between acts and between songs will go in one ear and out the other.
- Those addresses appear to have gone in one ear and out the other of our bishops.
- I didn't even hear her anymore; it was just in one ear and out the other, the same old story that I'm so, so sick of.
- Is all of this stuff I've been telling y'all over the years simply going in one ear and out the other?
- Sometimes people hear things and it ‘goes in one ear and out the other.’
- Gladwell contends all social epidemics need ‘stickiness’, the quality which stops an idea going in one ear and out the other.
- At the moment this, if heard, would go in one ear and out the other.
- ‘For most people this kind of stuff goes in one ear and out the other,’ said the activist in Columbus.
- Just telling kids that these services are available will go in one ear and out the other.
- I'd been hearing for weeks how dangerous the tribal areas are, getting so many warnings that they've been going in one ear and out the other.

listen with half an ear

Not give one's full attention.
throughout the meeting Bobby only had listened with half an ear
Example sentencesExamples
- Patrick listened and laughed in the appropriate places, but he only listened with half an ear.
- Michaela only listened with half an ear until she heard Aiden ask her, ‘Michaela, what do you usually do on your birthday?’
- I watch Claire relate everything to boats and watch you all listen with half an ear.
- She listened with half an ear while she surveyed her surroundings with boredom.
- Midori watched the room warily, only listening with half an ear as she scanned the crowd.
- As they walked off to start their shift, Janey was listening with half an ear to Debi's chatter.
- He listened with half an ear as everyone was talking about their professions.
- Tand yawned, as he listened with half an ear to the goings on.
- ‘Oh, my, this is interesting,’ said Maria, who had been listening with half an ear until now.
- ‘I don't know why you do this to yourself every year,’ Claire was saying as I listened with half an ear.

be out on one's ear

informal Be dismissed or ejected ignominiously.
Example sentencesExamples
- I've been having a bit of a laugh with a few of the regulars at the pub about who I'm going to let in if there's a disaster and who is out on their ear.
- At the rate he is going, it looks like his strategy could backfire and he could soon be out on his ear.
- I think in both those cases he might well be out on his ear.
- And then at the end of the season, his contract expires and if he has not done enough to convince the coaches that he can operate at this level, he could be out on his ear.
- Why bother putting myself into this incredibly precarious occupation where I could be out on my ear within a year or two?
- In due time the supporters, media, and players, it seems, turned against him, and he was out on his ear as the team headed for a summer tour in the US.
- She was out on her ear because she misled the public.
- In Ireland, meanwhile, you can be out on your ear within 28 days and your rent can rise by as much as your landlord likes.
- We've lived together for the past two years and certainly if I don't ask her within the next couple of years I'll be out on my ear.
- Anyone who creates any problems is out on his ear.

reach someone's ears

Be heard or heard about by someone.
the sound of running feet reached my ears
one of those stories reached our ears

up to one's ears in

informal Very busy with or deeply involved in.
I'm up to my ears in work here
Example sentencesExamples
- Those of us in business are up to our ears in dealing with new types of Internet-based customer interactions.
- I came down with a horrible case of the flu and I've been in up to my ears in homework.
- I know you are all busy with your families, up to your ears in daily problem solving, and that the last thing you need is bad news.
- I was up to my ears in work, and literally talking on two phones at once like a tycoon in an old movie.
- Other times, it can land you both up to your ears in big trouble.
- Jonah knows very well what a real story is because he was up to his ears in one of the biggest political scandals in history.
- According to a debt management firm ‘one in three adults are up to their ears in debt.’
- The staff in our accounts department is getting so many orders that they're up to their ears in work.
- John is up to his ears in preparing for the march on Saturday - will be a long day.
- We are up to our ears in taxes, but don't seem to be getting any benefits.

Origin

Old English ēare, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch oor and German Ohr, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin auris and Greek ous.

ear²

nounɪrir

1The seed-bearing head or spike of a cereal plant.
Example sentencesExamples
- The new growth - the young ear and stem segments of SS-FP was significantly slowed by the canopy cover.
- In half of the plants, sink size was reduced by retaining only the five central spikelets of an ear.
- In this case, the phenotypic description included the measurements of the length of the awn considering those of the more distal spikelets of the ear.
- There was no significant difference in grain number per ear observed in unstressed plants of mutants.
- Measurements were conducted at 20°C at the second leaf of seedlings and at 25°C at the second leaf above the ear during flowering.
- The number of nodes on the most apical branch, which is an ear in normal plants, was counted.
- In the case of cereals, grain is the primary yield and total production depends on the number of plants per area, tillers per plant, number of ears per tiller, grains per ear and mass per grain.
- It is most noticeable as grayish black galls on the ear of the plant.
- Multiple endosperms from a single ear were combined for analysis.
- This ear to ear variation was probably due largely to sporadic male sterility which resulted in a small but apparently significant reduction in the number of grains per ear in some plants.
- The data from these five populations, each planted from an individual ear, are presented in Table 8.
- The A158 ear always has paired spikelets, one sessile and one pedicellate.
- Plants were allowed to open-pollinate and all measurements were taken on plants with a fertilized ear.
1. 1.1North American A head of corn.
  Example sentencesExamples
  With a sharp knife, slide the blade down the ear of corn removing kernels.
  Until I do, keep an eye out for me at the movies, in the record shops, or simply in the supermarket shopping for a good ear of sweet corn.
  And oh yeah, save her an ear of roasted corn and a cold frosty one for me, would ya?
  Last year I had corn earworm damage in just about every ear.
  By sticking an ear of dried corn on top, he lured squirrels to charge up the board and then spin around for a dizzying ride.
  Raccoons' habit of moving on to the next ear of corn before finishing the first makes them especially damaging to fields of both sweet corn and field corn.
  Virgo has been depicted as a winged maiden holding a palm branch in her left hand and an ear of corn in her right.
  In the piles were 10 red ears of corn and whoever found a red ear of corn got to kiss whoever they wanted to.
  When an ear of corn is broken in half, the tip half shows the smooth endosperm.
  Place two potatoes, one lobster, a half pound clams and one ear corn on each piece.
  The dignity inherent in the farmer's labour is enhanced rather than diminished as he turns every tenth ear of corn over to support those who labour in a different field.
  An average ear of corn weighs from 10 to 14 ounces and yields about 1 cup of kernels.
  Hold the husked ear of corn upright in a deep, wide bowl.
  Place the ear of corn into a saucepan and cover with water.

Origin

Old English ēar, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch aar and German Ähre.

单词	ear
释义	ear¹ noun ɪəɪr 1The organ of hearing and balance in humans and other vertebrates, especially the external part of this. Example sentencesExamples One night, a moth flew into my mom's ear while she was washing dishes. Within a few days, he completely lost hearing in his left ear. Why scratch your left ear with your right hand? I was so embarrassed that I could feel my ears burn red! He unconsciously leaned his ear towards the sound reverberating through the guitar and nodded as he tuned. Middle ear infections and fluid in the ear are the most common causes of temporary hearing loss in children. I'm 31, and got my left ear pierced a couple of years ago. Tyler stood out even from this group with five earrings on each ear, two eyebrow rings on each eyebrow, four lip rings, and two tongue pierces. Eighteen months on, Oliver, now three, has no hearing in his left ear and limited hearing in his right ear. "I don't like this…" he muttered as he placed his sensitive ear against the door. "Mom," he said, plugging one ear with his index finger to hear her better. Whispering softly into the patient's ear or holding a softly ticking wristwatch close to the ear can be helpful in making a gross evaluation of hearing. Faith held the phone to her ear, listened to it ring, and waited for someone to pick up. If the growth is large, then it may have caused more damage and this sometimes leads to some loss of hearing in the affected ear. So, she settled for plugging one ear with her finger and the other by squishing it against her shoulder. I woke with my alarm sounding in my ear like every morning. Surgeons are sometimes able to preserve some hearing in the ear being operated on, but this is rare. The balancing mechanism in the ear can be tested in various ways using vestibulometric tests. Whales and pigeons can hear frequencies of sound far below the capacity of the human ear. I noticed that the girl's ears had reddened with embarrassment. Synonyms organ of hearing Scottish &amp Northern English or informal lug informal earhole British informal lughole, shell-like 1.1 An organ sensitive to sound in other animals. Example sentencesExamples There was a wolf sitting on the gleaming linoleum outside the office, head cocked, ears pricked. The voice is familiar to her and her cat ears perk up at the sound. In many ways, the cetacean ear is radically different from the ear of terrestrial mammals. At that point the sensitive hound ears picked up another presence and he bounded over to greet me. Suddenly he tensed, his sharp wolf ears picking out movement in the sand. They then tattoo the inside of the ear of animals that they spay and neuter so that they do not try to operate more than once on the same stray animal. The very sad-looking pooch with one blue eye and one floppy ear on the story lead page is our beloved Luna. They have a tragus, which can be folded back to seal the opening of the ear when the animal digs. Then she would have leaned over and stroked the mare's neck whispering sweet nothings in her ear as the animal pranced. The UK tag will show the flock number followed by the individual animal number and it is recommended that the tag is placed in the left ear of the animal. 1.2in singular An ability to recognize, appreciate, and reproduce sounds, especially music or language. an ear for rhythm and melody Example sentencesExamples He also has an ear for sampling, using horns and steel drums as needed. But with near sensory overload of sound, music and colour, not having an ear for the Danish language didn't matter. My mom, being the rich socialite that she was, had an ear for gossip. The truth is he had no ear at all, and could not even carry a tune. I had not a good voice nor, I confess it, a very good ear. A sensitive ear for voicing is needed to project the songful melodies effectively wherever they turn up in the texture. The duo play multiple instruments and both have an ear for finding rhythm tracks by recording clocks ticking, bells ringing and lawnmowers mowing. In fact, it sounded so good that it seemed as though someone with an ear for classical music was at the helm of this company and so we decided to investigate. He loves the English language and has a keen ear for its music. ‘You know me, Michael, I have an ear for the truth as good as you do,’ Gilbert said. Over the years, these keen listeners have developed an ear for every political innuendo and insinuation. Mom has a very finely tuned ear for music and languages. Brennan has a keen ear for dialogue, and the exchanges between Virginia and her family demonstrate this extremely well. It's a major work, an announcement from someone with an eye for beauty amidst squalor and an ear for the very real cadences of very specific slang and dialect. Hamilton delighted in Emma's ear for languages and music, and her theatrical flair, and in 1791 he contentedly married her. A good sound technician and composer with an instinctive ear for music is vital. He's also got a pretty good ear for what makes an ear-pleasing folk song. The film was written by Laurence Coriat, who has an ear for the sort of unadorned, matter-of-fact dialogue that says a lot by what it leaves out. He was also a magnificent writer with an ear for language and a wonderful imagination, and a fine poet to boot. When describing settings, Petry has an eye for details, and when creating characters, an ear for dialogue. Synonyms appreciation, discrimination, perception, musical taste 1.3 Used to refer to a person's willingness to listen to others. she offers a sympathetic ear to worried pet owners Example sentencesExamples The girl he talked to was a listening ear, someone willing to share in his anxiety about an undeniably unsettling situation. What the bride needs more than anything else during this time is someone who will offer a sympathetic ear and practical advice. "I'm there as a chaplain to listen with a sympathetic ear to any concerns they may have, " Yee said. Vaughn listened with a patient ear, leaning back in his seat, asking a question or two when it was necessary. They are offering a sympathetic ear to farmers suffering in the present weather crisis. Teenagers caught up in the turmoil of their parents' messy divorce are being offered a sympathetic ear by a new service in Winchester. She offers a sympathetic ear and reassuring guidance. No matter what you're talking about, the spinning red VRML cube has the patience to sit by and listen with an open ear. Just a couple of carefully worded questions, delivered in his soft Welsh voice, and patients would pour out their symptoms to his sympathetic ear. He had spent more time around her, doing nice things for her and just offering her a lending ear to listen to her and a shoulder to cry on when she needed it. Sometimes you needed a friendly ear to listen to your troubles and worries and tell you that everything was going to be alright. The third did offer a sympathetic ear but no practical solutions, other than to suggest to the claimant that he should prioritise his work. If I didn't have a shoulder to lean on or a compassionate ear willing to listen to me rant, I might've been tempted to quit. As for you, the membership, many of you have offered an ear to listen, time to reflect, and many hours of friendship and support. He has been attending the Doctors and Dentists Group for many years, finding it a vital help, offering practical guidance and a sympathetic ear. She listened with an eager ear, thirsty for knowledge of a life better than her own. Trey listened with a patient ear, only making distance with the receiver when she whined or couldn't make out her blubbering. It offered not only a sympathetic ear but also structured advice on what to do next, and helped us through the maze of local authority and social services applications. In this instance all I can offer is company, a sympathetic ear and warm hugs - even if only from a distance at the moment. He's gone all soppy, crying because he misses Saskia and being a kind ear to listen to all Craig's miserable longings. The ear of a mammal is composed of three parts. The outer or external ear consists of a fleshy external flap and a tube leading to the eardrum or tympanum. The middle ear is an air-filled cavity connected to the throat, containing three small linked bones that transmit vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. The inner ear is a complex fluid-filled labyrinth including the spiral cochlea (where vibrations are converted to nerve impulses) and the three semicircular canals (forming the organ of balance) Phrases be all ears informal Be listening eagerly. I'm all ears, tell me about it Example sentencesExamples Kassi tells Liam of how she and Isabelle became friends and Liam is all ears. This Wednesday night, in the packed meeting room of the West Richmond Community Centre, the crowd is all ears. If Bose's idea has merit, auto manufacturers will be all ears. We were all ears after he had announced himself and flashed his warrant card. He has been telling versions of his for years, and the media have been all ears. As an epileptic, I was all ears and I listened to her telling me her symptoms. When Disney approached Stravinsky with the idea of using Le Sacre as part of Fantasia, the composer was all ears. Our reporter was all ears, but heard only silence - as the figure was written down and discreetly handed to the magistrates. If positive news on cord stem cells continues, doctors, patients, and investors will be all ears. The audience were all ears when the teams crooned ditties from the golden 80s. Synonyms alert, vigilant, wide awake, aware, watchful, attentive, observant, circumspect, wary, chary, heedful, canny bring something (down) about one's ears Bring misfortune on oneself. she brought her world crashing about her ears one's ears are burning One is subconsciously aware of being talked about or criticized. certain officials in the police department will find their ears are burning before long Example sentencesExamples His name escapes me now, but I hope his ears are burning, wherever he is. grin (or smile) from ear to ear Smile broadly. you'll come out of the show grinning from ear to ear Example sentencesExamples ‘It's all sorted’ Sky replies, smiling from ear to ear. ‘It's so exciting to get to meet him,’ she said, smiling from ear to ear as she gripped his hand. But before he could answer, Chloe appeared at their table, smiling from ear to ear, with Jason at her side. I was smiling from ear to ear as I looked around her room. ‘Sarah?’ Shivering later from the cold, but smiling from ear to ear, he said he felt ‘excellent, very happy’ about the engagement. ‘When we saw her in the pet store, we just knew she was the dog for you,’ my mom continued, smiling from ear to ear. I was smiling from ear to ear; I hadn't been that happy in - I hadn't been that happy for years. At the end of the evening, Dick was smiling from ear to ear to see just hooks on the walls where his artworks used to hang because that means they have been sold. I know Eddie was watching from above that night and I guarantee he was smiling from ear to ear at the respect that was shown to him both from the wrestlers as well as the fans. Despite many scrapes and cuts, he was smiling from ear to ear. have something coming out of one's ears informal Have a substantial amount of something. that man's got money coming out of his ears Example sentencesExamples It's the season of mangoes and you probably have them coming out of your ears. Ever since coming to New Zealand in June 2000 I've had holidays coming out of my ears. I figured that despite having kids coming out of my ears, very little spare cash and a stressful job, on one night a week my guitar and I would work together again. ‘I have qualifications coming out of my ears,’ Mr Corbyn said. The lads have put everything they have into it and the manager should have accolades coming out of his ears because he has really got the best out of all the players in the squad. Each is reportedly a multi-millionaire; both have endorsements coming out of their ears. We used to produce so many muck spreaders we had them coming out of our ears, but now we are down to 15 staff and it will be hard to produce one of these machines a week. But they do have strikers coming out of their ears and he is probably sixth in the pecking order. What with his vast organic outfit at Highgrove, he must have organic vegetables coming out of his ears. I think most people here will have plans coming out of their ears and most will say this is just another one. have someone's ear Have access to and influence with someone. he claimed to have the prime minister's ear Example sentencesExamples While we have the president's ear there is another urgent matter which requires sensible discussion and not knee-jerk reactions. And if there were no or minimal repercussions for switching to private accounts, you would definitely have my ear. But who exactly has the president 's ear on China policy? Bisbee was Cooke's aide-de-camp in Omaha, and he had General Cooke's ear and complete access to and responsibility for his correspondence and reports. The hawks in Washington have the President 's ear - in Europe, calmer voices are speaking out. Your relationship can raise communication barriers with colleagues, if they fear that you are the only one to have the boss's ear. But always, before he acts, he listens to a select few who have his ear. I doubt I will trust you, but you have my ear for now. ‘When you hold a fundraiser, there are certain people who are going to come that want to have your ear,’ says Chan. And while Souter is very much his own man, Irvine has his ear. Synonyms attention, attentiveness, notice, heed, regard, consideration have (or keep) an ear to the ground Be well informed about events and trends. the good leader has his ear to the ground and will know when real doubts are growing Example sentencesExamples So what if Sven has been keeping an ear to the ground about what might be next for him? The experts in transport, who have an ear to the ground, concur that many countries that held on to the railway system have been wiser than the ones that closed them to save money. It's there and you can find out if you have your ear to the ground. Ultimately, the facility executive should keep an ear to the ground for factors that drive decisions in an organization. If you are going to insist on this course of action, then I suggest you keep an ear to the ground and the news; and take this. Anyone who truly has their ear to the ground has heard about this band as legend. I understand that righteous anger fuels the funny, and that you have to work at keeping an ear to the ground and respond to what the audience wants to hear. They kept an ear to the ground and followed up any and every rumour of a new find. He's got to be involved, he's got to have his ear to the ground, and he's got to live up to a lot. The CEO will expect his chief security officer to have his ear to the ground, to know what's going on at all times and to think ahead. in one ear and out the other Heard but quickly forgotten. whatever he tells me seems to go in one ear and out the other Example sentencesExamples At the moment this, if heard, would go in one ear and out the other. Those addresses appear to have gone in one ear and out the other of our bishops. Gladwell contends all social epidemics need ‘stickiness’, the quality which stops an idea going in one ear and out the other. Is all of this stuff I've been telling y'all over the years simply going in one ear and out the other? All the pontificating that will go on between acts and between songs will go in one ear and out the other. I didn't even hear her anymore; it was just in one ear and out the other, the same old story that I'm so, so sick of. Just telling kids that these services are available will go in one ear and out the other. ‘For most people this kind of stuff goes in one ear and out the other,’ said the activist in Columbus. I'd been hearing for weeks how dangerous the tribal areas are, getting so many warnings that they've been going in one ear and out the other. Sometimes people hear things and it ‘goes in one ear and out the other.’ listen with half an ear Not give one's full attention. throughout the meeting Bobby only had listened with half an ear Example sentencesExamples She listened with half an ear while she surveyed her surroundings with boredom. Tand yawned, as he listened with half an ear to the goings on. He listened with half an ear as everyone was talking about their professions. ‘Oh, my, this is interesting,’ said Maria, who had been listening with half an ear until now. Michaela only listened with half an ear until she heard Aiden ask her, ‘Michaela, what do you usually do on your birthday?’ Patrick listened and laughed in the appropriate places, but he only listened with half an ear. As they walked off to start their shift, Janey was listening with half an ear to Debi's chatter. Midori watched the room warily, only listening with half an ear as she scanned the crowd. I watch Claire relate everything to boats and watch you all listen with half an ear. ‘I don't know why you do this to yourself every year,’ Claire was saying as I listened with half an ear. be out on one's ear informal Be dismissed ignominiously. if this cheque bounces, you're out on your ear Example sentencesExamples I think in both those cases he might well be out on his ear. In due time the supporters, media, and players, it seems, turned against him, and he was out on his ear as the team headed for a summer tour in the US. We've lived together for the past two years and certainly if I don't ask her within the next couple of years I'll be out on my ear. In Ireland, meanwhile, you can be out on your ear within 28 days and your rent can rise by as much as your landlord likes. And then at the end of the season, his contract expires and if he has not done enough to convince the coaches that he can operate at this level, he could be out on his ear. I've been having a bit of a laugh with a few of the regulars at the pub about who I'm going to let in if there's a disaster and who is out on their ear. Why bother putting myself into this incredibly precarious occupation where I could be out on my ear within a year or two? Anyone who creates any problems is out on his ear. At the rate he is going, it looks like his strategy could backfire and he could soon be out on his ear. She was out on her ear because she misled the public. reach someone's ears Be heard or heard about by someone. the sound of running feet reached my ears one of those stories reached our ears Example sentencesExamples Exhausted out of reason and numb with pain, Rose pushed and the most beautiful sound in the world reached her ears. Individually we can take steps to generally control what sounds reach our ears in the privacy of our home. Some of the rumors would reach my children's ears and upset them. A voice from the shadows of the room reached my ears. The next sound that reached his ears shocked him even more. Spektor does, however, constantly employ a trick I consider dirty: She reaches her audience's ears and heartstrings through feigned naivete. This cheery news reached my ears via the steam-driven radio the other night. The latest rumour to reach Mr Kyaw's ears, however, was an encouraging one. They fell out on Vietnam, and Johnson retailed nasty gibes that he knew would reach Lippmann's ears. Inside, the sound of a symphony warming up reached her ears. up to one's ears in informal Very busy with. I'm up to my ears in work here Example sentencesExamples Jonah knows very well what a real story is because he was up to his ears in one of the biggest political scandals in history. Other times, it can land you both up to your ears in big trouble. John is up to his ears in preparing for the march on Saturday - will be a long day. According to a debt management firm ‘one in three adults are up to their ears in debt.’ I was up to my ears in work, and literally talking on two phones at once like a tycoon in an old movie. We are up to our ears in taxes, but don't seem to be getting any benefits. Those of us in business are up to our ears in dealing with new types of Internet-based customer interactions. I know you are all busy with your families, up to your ears in daily problem solving, and that the last thing you need is bad news. I came down with a horrible case of the flu and I've been in up to my ears in homework. The staff in our accounts department is getting so many orders that they're up to their ears in work. Derivatives eared adjective ɪədɪrd in combination long-eared earless adjective ˈɪələsˈɪrləs Small, rufous, and earless, the Serendib Scops Owl is quite unlike any other owl in Sri Lanka or anywhere else in the Indian subcontinent. Example sentencesExamples As the ghost spoke, his earless sibling aimed a wand of fire at the stranger and the other one tried to break free of his ‘wrappings’. We measured the total nocturnal flight time of 60 individual male moths representing seven species of eared moths and five species of earless moths. The tea is poured into earless cups and served with both hands. It comes round or oval, lidless and sometimes earless, most often with vertical sides, though in the round version the sides could slope to a small flat base. Origin Old English ēare, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch oor and German Ohr, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin auris and Greek ous. Unsurprisingly, since their meanings are so dissimilar, the ear that allows you to hear and the one that bears seeds are different words. The first is an Old English word that goes right back to an ancient root that was shared by Latin auris, from which we get aural (mid 19th century). The second seems to come ultimately from the same root as Latin acer meaning pointed or sharp. To earmark (late 16th century) something is to set it aside for a particular purpose. Originally, though, it referred to the practice of marking the ear of an animal as a sign of ownership. You might say that your ears are burning if you are subconsciously aware of being talked about or criticized. This phrase has been around in English since at least the early 1600s, but the idea is an ancient one, which the 1st-century ad Roman scholar Pliny mentioned in his Natural History. In 1738 Jonathan Swift wrote, ‘Miss, didn't your Left Ear burn last Night?…Because…you were extolled to the Skies.’ Rhymes adhere, Agadir, Anglosphere, appear, arrear, auctioneer, austere, balladeer, bandolier, Bashkir, beer, besmear, bier, blear, bombardier, brigadier, buccaneer, cameleer, career, cashier, cavalier, chandelier, charioteer, cheer, chevalier, chiffonier, clavier, clear, Coetzee, cohere, commandeer, conventioneer, Cordelier, corsetière, Crimea, dear, deer, diarrhoea (US diarrhea), domineer, Dorothea, drear, electioneer, emir, endear, engineer, fear, fleer, Freer, fusilier, gadgeteer, Galatea, gazetteer, gear, gondolier, gonorrhoea (US gonorrhea), Greer, grenadier, hand-rear, hear, here, Hosea, idea, interfere, Izmir, jeer, Judaea, Kashmir, Keir, kir, Korea, Lear, leer, Maria, marketeer, Medea, Meir, Melilla, mere, Mia, Mir, mishear, mountaineer, muleteer, musketeer, mutineer, near, orienteer, pamphleteer, panacea, paneer, peer, persevere, pier, Pierre, pioneer, pistoleer, privateer, profiteer, puppeteer, racketeer, ratafia, rear, revere, rhea, rocketeer, Sapir, scrutineer, sear, seer, sere, severe, Shamir, shear, sheer, sincere, smear, sneer, sonneteer, souvenir, spear, sphere, steer, stere, summiteer, Tangier, tear, tier, Trier, Tyr, veer, veneer, Vere, Vermeer, vizier, volunteer, Wear, weir, we're, year, Zaïre ear² noun ɪəɪr 1The seed-bearing head or spike of a cereal plant. Example sentencesExamples Multiple endosperms from a single ear were combined for analysis. In half of the plants, sink size was reduced by retaining only the five central spikelets of an ear. In the case of cereals, grain is the primary yield and total production depends on the number of plants per area, tillers per plant, number of ears per tiller, grains per ear and mass per grain. This ear to ear variation was probably due largely to sporadic male sterility which resulted in a small but apparently significant reduction in the number of grains per ear in some plants. Measurements were conducted at 20°C at the second leaf of seedlings and at 25°C at the second leaf above the ear during flowering. The A158 ear always has paired spikelets, one sessile and one pedicellate. The number of nodes on the most apical branch, which is an ear in normal plants, was counted. In this case, the phenotypic description included the measurements of the length of the awn considering those of the more distal spikelets of the ear. The new growth - the young ear and stem segments of SS-FP was significantly slowed by the canopy cover. It is most noticeable as grayish black galls on the ear of the plant. The data from these five populations, each planted from an individual ear, are presented in Table 8. There was no significant difference in grain number per ear observed in unstressed plants of mutants. Plants were allowed to open-pollinate and all measurements were taken on plants with a fertilized ear. 1.1North American A head of maize. Example sentencesExamples By sticking an ear of dried corn on top, he lured squirrels to charge up the board and then spin around for a dizzying ride. With a sharp knife, slide the blade down the ear of corn removing kernels. When an ear of corn is broken in half, the tip half shows the smooth endosperm. And oh yeah, save her an ear of roasted corn and a cold frosty one for me, would ya? In the piles were 10 red ears of corn and whoever found a red ear of corn got to kiss whoever they wanted to. Raccoons' habit of moving on to the next ear of corn before finishing the first makes them especially damaging to fields of both sweet corn and field corn. Virgo has been depicted as a winged maiden holding a palm branch in her left hand and an ear of corn in her right. Place two potatoes, one lobster, a half pound clams and one ear corn on each piece. The dignity inherent in the farmer's labour is enhanced rather than diminished as he turns every tenth ear of corn over to support those who labour in a different field. An average ear of corn weighs from 10 to 14 ounces and yields about 1 cup of kernels. Place the ear of corn into a saucepan and cover with water. Until I do, keep an eye out for me at the movies, in the record shops, or simply in the supermarket shopping for a good ear of sweet corn. Hold the husked ear of corn upright in a deep, wide bowl. Last year I had corn earworm damage in just about every ear. Origin Old English ēar, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch aar and German Ähre. noun.1 phr. noun.2 ear¹ nounɪrir 1The organ of hearing and balance in humans and other vertebrates, especially the external part of this. The ear of a mammal is composed of three parts. The outer or external ear consists of a fleshy external flap and a tube leading to the eardrum or tympanum. The middle ear is an air-filled cavity connected to the throat, containing three small linked bones that transmit vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. The inner ear is a complex fluid-filled labyrinth including the spiral cochlea (where vibrations are converted to nerve impulses) and the three semicircular canals (forming the organ of balance). The ears of other vertebrates are broadly similar Example sentencesExamples So, she settled for plugging one ear with her finger and the other by squishing it against her shoulder. The balancing mechanism in the ear can be tested in various ways using vestibulometric tests. Why scratch your left ear with your right hand? I noticed that the girl's ears had reddened with embarrassment. Whispering softly into the patient's ear or holding a softly ticking wristwatch close to the ear can be helpful in making a gross evaluation of hearing. Surgeons are sometimes able to preserve some hearing in the ear being operated on, but this is rare. Within a few days, he completely lost hearing in his left ear. If the growth is large, then it may have caused more damage and this sometimes leads to some loss of hearing in the affected ear. "I don't like this…" he muttered as he placed his sensitive ear against the door. Middle ear infections and fluid in the ear are the most common causes of temporary hearing loss in children. He unconsciously leaned his ear towards the sound reverberating through the guitar and nodded as he tuned. Whales and pigeons can hear frequencies of sound far below the capacity of the human ear. "Mom," he said, plugging one ear with his index finger to hear her better. Eighteen months on, Oliver, now three, has no hearing in his left ear and limited hearing in his right ear. Faith held the phone to her ear, listened to it ring, and waited for someone to pick up. I woke with my alarm sounding in my ear like every morning. Tyler stood out even from this group with five earrings on each ear, two eyebrow rings on each eyebrow, four lip rings, and two tongue pierces. One night, a moth flew into my mom's ear while she was washing dishes. I'm 31, and got my left ear pierced a couple of years ago. I was so embarrassed that I could feel my ears burn red! Synonyms organ of hearing 1.1 An organ sensitive to sound in other animals. Example sentencesExamples The voice is familiar to her and her cat ears perk up at the sound. Then she would have leaned over and stroked the mare's neck whispering sweet nothings in her ear as the animal pranced. At that point the sensitive hound ears picked up another presence and he bounded over to greet me. The UK tag will show the flock number followed by the individual animal number and it is recommended that the tag is placed in the left ear of the animal. They then tattoo the inside of the ear of animals that they spay and neuter so that they do not try to operate more than once on the same stray animal. They have a tragus, which can be folded back to seal the opening of the ear when the animal digs. The very sad-looking pooch with one blue eye and one floppy ear on the story lead page is our beloved Luna. In many ways, the cetacean ear is radically different from the ear of terrestrial mammals. Suddenly he tensed, his sharp wolf ears picking out movement in the sand. There was a wolf sitting on the gleaming linoleum outside the office, head cocked, ears pricked. 1.2in singular An ability to recognize, appreciate, and reproduce sounds, especially music or language. an ear for melody Example sentencesExamples He's also got a pretty good ear for what makes an ear-pleasing folk song. Mom has a very finely tuned ear for music and languages. A sensitive ear for voicing is needed to project the songful melodies effectively wherever they turn up in the texture. But with near sensory overload of sound, music and colour, not having an ear for the Danish language didn't matter. It's a major work, an announcement from someone with an eye for beauty amidst squalor and an ear for the very real cadences of very specific slang and dialect. A good sound technician and composer with an instinctive ear for music is vital. Brennan has a keen ear for dialogue, and the exchanges between Virginia and her family demonstrate this extremely well. Hamilton delighted in Emma's ear for languages and music, and her theatrical flair, and in 1791 he contentedly married her. Over the years, these keen listeners have developed an ear for every political innuendo and insinuation. He loves the English language and has a keen ear for its music. In fact, it sounded so good that it seemed as though someone with an ear for classical music was at the helm of this company and so we decided to investigate. He was also a magnificent writer with an ear for language and a wonderful imagination, and a fine poet to boot. The truth is he had no ear at all, and could not even carry a tune. When describing settings, Petry has an eye for details, and when creating characters, an ear for dialogue. The duo play multiple instruments and both have an ear for finding rhythm tracks by recording clocks ticking, bells ringing and lawnmowers mowing. My mom, being the rich socialite that she was, had an ear for gossip. The film was written by Laurence Coriat, who has an ear for the sort of unadorned, matter-of-fact dialogue that says a lot by what it leaves out. ‘You know me, Michael, I have an ear for the truth as good as you do,’ Gilbert said. He also has an ear for sampling, using horns and steel drums as needed. I had not a good voice nor, I confess it, a very good ear. Synonyms appreciation, discrimination, perception, musical taste 1.3 Used to refer to a person's willingness to listen and pay attention to something. she offers a sympathetic ear to worried pet owners Example sentencesExamples The third did offer a sympathetic ear but no practical solutions, other than to suggest to the claimant that he should prioritise his work. It offered not only a sympathetic ear but also structured advice on what to do next, and helped us through the maze of local authority and social services applications. He's gone all soppy, crying because he misses Saskia and being a kind ear to listen to all Craig's miserable longings. Trey listened with a patient ear, only making distance with the receiver when she whined or couldn't make out her blubbering. Just a couple of carefully worded questions, delivered in his soft Welsh voice, and patients would pour out their symptoms to his sympathetic ear. No matter what you're talking about, the spinning red VRML cube has the patience to sit by and listen with an open ear. She listened with an eager ear, thirsty for knowledge of a life better than her own. The girl he talked to was a listening ear, someone willing to share in his anxiety about an undeniably unsettling situation. She offers a sympathetic ear and reassuring guidance. He has been attending the Doctors and Dentists Group for many years, finding it a vital help, offering practical guidance and a sympathetic ear. Sometimes you needed a friendly ear to listen to your troubles and worries and tell you that everything was going to be alright. What the bride needs more than anything else during this time is someone who will offer a sympathetic ear and practical advice. They are offering a sympathetic ear to farmers suffering in the present weather crisis. He had spent more time around her, doing nice things for her and just offering her a lending ear to listen to her and a shoulder to cry on when she needed it. "I'm there as a chaplain to listen with a sympathetic ear to any concerns they may have, " Yee said. Teenagers caught up in the turmoil of their parents' messy divorce are being offered a sympathetic ear by a new service in Winchester. In this instance all I can offer is company, a sympathetic ear and warm hugs - even if only from a distance at the moment. If I didn't have a shoulder to lean on or a compassionate ear willing to listen to me rant, I might've been tempted to quit. Vaughn listened with a patient ear, leaning back in his seat, asking a question or two when it was necessary. As for you, the membership, many of you have offered an ear to listen, time to reflect, and many hours of friendship and support. 1.4 An ear-shaped thing, especially the handle of a jug. Phrases be all ears informal Be listening eagerly and attentively. Example sentencesExamples He has been telling versions of his for years, and the media have been all ears. We were all ears after he had announced himself and flashed his warrant card. If Bose's idea has merit, auto manufacturers will be all ears. Kassi tells Liam of how she and Isabelle became friends and Liam is all ears. When Disney approached Stravinsky with the idea of using Le Sacre as part of Fantasia, the composer was all ears. Our reporter was all ears, but heard only silence - as the figure was written down and discreetly handed to the magistrates. This Wednesday night, in the packed meeting room of the West Richmond Community Centre, the crowd is all ears. The audience were all ears when the teams crooned ditties from the golden 80s. As an epileptic, I was all ears and I listened to her telling me her symptoms. If positive news on cord stem cells continues, doctors, patients, and investors will be all ears. Synonyms alert, vigilant, wide awake, aware, watchful, attentive, observant, circumspect, wary, chary, heedful, canny bring something (down) about one's ears Bring misfortune on oneself. she brought her world crashing about her ears one's ears are burning One is subconsciously aware of being talked about or criticized. Example sentencesExamples His name escapes me now, but I hope his ears are burning, wherever he is. grin (or smile) from ear to ear Smile broadly. Example sentencesExamples But before he could answer, Chloe appeared at their table, smiling from ear to ear, with Jason at her side. I was smiling from ear to ear as I looked around her room. ‘Sarah?’ I was smiling from ear to ear; I hadn't been that happy in - I hadn't been that happy for years. I know Eddie was watching from above that night and I guarantee he was smiling from ear to ear at the respect that was shown to him both from the wrestlers as well as the fans. At the end of the evening, Dick was smiling from ear to ear to see just hooks on the walls where his artworks used to hang because that means they have been sold. ‘It's so exciting to get to meet him,’ she said, smiling from ear to ear as she gripped his hand. ‘When we saw her in the pet store, we just knew she was the dog for you,’ my mom continued, smiling from ear to ear. Despite many scrapes and cuts, he was smiling from ear to ear. Shivering later from the cold, but smiling from ear to ear, he said he felt ‘excellent, very happy’ about the engagement. ‘It's all sorted’ Sky replies, smiling from ear to ear. have something coming out of one's ears informal Have a substantial or excessive amount of something. that man's got money coming out of his ears Example sentencesExamples ‘I have qualifications coming out of my ears,’ Mr Corbyn said. We used to produce so many muck spreaders we had them coming out of our ears, but now we are down to 15 staff and it will be hard to produce one of these machines a week. Each is reportedly a multi-millionaire; both have endorsements coming out of their ears. It's the season of mangoes and you probably have them coming out of your ears. Ever since coming to New Zealand in June 2000 I've had holidays coming out of my ears. The lads have put everything they have into it and the manager should have accolades coming out of his ears because he has really got the best out of all the players in the squad. I figured that despite having kids coming out of my ears, very little spare cash and a stressful job, on one night a week my guitar and I would work together again. What with his vast organic outfit at Highgrove, he must have organic vegetables coming out of his ears. I think most people here will have plans coming out of their ears and most will say this is just another one. But they do have strikers coming out of their ears and he is probably sixth in the pecking order. have someone's ear Have access to and influence with someone. he claimed to have the prime minister's ear Example sentencesExamples Bisbee was Cooke's aide-de-camp in Omaha, and he had General Cooke's ear and complete access to and responsibility for his correspondence and reports. While we have the president's ear there is another urgent matter which requires sensible discussion and not knee-jerk reactions. And if there were no or minimal repercussions for switching to private accounts, you would definitely have my ear. But who exactly has the president 's ear on China policy? The hawks in Washington have the President 's ear - in Europe, calmer voices are speaking out. ‘When you hold a fundraiser, there are certain people who are going to come that want to have your ear,’ says Chan. And while Souter is very much his own man, Irvine has his ear. But always, before he acts, he listens to a select few who have his ear. I doubt I will trust you, but you have my ear for now. Your relationship can raise communication barriers with colleagues, if they fear that you are the only one to have the boss's ear. Synonyms attention, attentiveness, notice, heed, regard, consideration have (or keep) an ear to the ground Be well informed about events and trends. Example sentencesExamples The experts in transport, who have an ear to the ground, concur that many countries that held on to the railway system have been wiser than the ones that closed them to save money. It's there and you can find out if you have your ear to the ground. The CEO will expect his chief security officer to have his ear to the ground, to know what's going on at all times and to think ahead. Anyone who truly has their ear to the ground has heard about this band as legend. If you are going to insist on this course of action, then I suggest you keep an ear to the ground and the news; and take this. So what if Sven has been keeping an ear to the ground about what might be next for him? Ultimately, the facility executive should keep an ear to the ground for factors that drive decisions in an organization. They kept an ear to the ground and followed up any and every rumour of a new find. He's got to be involved, he's got to have his ear to the ground, and he's got to live up to a lot. I understand that righteous anger fuels the funny, and that you have to work at keeping an ear to the ground and respond to what the audience wants to hear. in one ear and out the other Heard but disregarded or quickly forgotten. whatever he tells me seems to go in one ear and out the other Example sentencesExamples All the pontificating that will go on between acts and between songs will go in one ear and out the other. Those addresses appear to have gone in one ear and out the other of our bishops. I didn't even hear her anymore; it was just in one ear and out the other, the same old story that I'm so, so sick of. Is all of this stuff I've been telling y'all over the years simply going in one ear and out the other? Sometimes people hear things and it ‘goes in one ear and out the other.’ Gladwell contends all social epidemics need ‘stickiness’, the quality which stops an idea going in one ear and out the other. At the moment this, if heard, would go in one ear and out the other. ‘For most people this kind of stuff goes in one ear and out the other,’ said the activist in Columbus. Just telling kids that these services are available will go in one ear and out the other. I'd been hearing for weeks how dangerous the tribal areas are, getting so many warnings that they've been going in one ear and out the other. listen with half an ear Not give one's full attention. throughout the meeting Bobby only had listened with half an ear Example sentencesExamples Patrick listened and laughed in the appropriate places, but he only listened with half an ear. Michaela only listened with half an ear until she heard Aiden ask her, ‘Michaela, what do you usually do on your birthday?’ I watch Claire relate everything to boats and watch you all listen with half an ear. She listened with half an ear while she surveyed her surroundings with boredom. Midori watched the room warily, only listening with half an ear as she scanned the crowd. As they walked off to start their shift, Janey was listening with half an ear to Debi's chatter. He listened with half an ear as everyone was talking about their professions. Tand yawned, as he listened with half an ear to the goings on. ‘Oh, my, this is interesting,’ said Maria, who had been listening with half an ear until now. ‘I don't know why you do this to yourself every year,’ Claire was saying as I listened with half an ear. be out on one's ear informal Be dismissed or ejected ignominiously. Example sentencesExamples I've been having a bit of a laugh with a few of the regulars at the pub about who I'm going to let in if there's a disaster and who is out on their ear. At the rate he is going, it looks like his strategy could backfire and he could soon be out on his ear. I think in both those cases he might well be out on his ear. And then at the end of the season, his contract expires and if he has not done enough to convince the coaches that he can operate at this level, he could be out on his ear. Why bother putting myself into this incredibly precarious occupation where I could be out on my ear within a year or two? In due time the supporters, media, and players, it seems, turned against him, and he was out on his ear as the team headed for a summer tour in the US. She was out on her ear because she misled the public. In Ireland, meanwhile, you can be out on your ear within 28 days and your rent can rise by as much as your landlord likes. We've lived together for the past two years and certainly if I don't ask her within the next couple of years I'll be out on my ear. Anyone who creates any problems is out on his ear. reach someone's ears Be heard or heard about by someone. the sound of running feet reached my ears one of those stories reached our ears up to one's ears in informal Very busy with or deeply involved in. I'm up to my ears in work here Example sentencesExamples Those of us in business are up to our ears in dealing with new types of Internet-based customer interactions. I came down with a horrible case of the flu and I've been in up to my ears in homework. I know you are all busy with your families, up to your ears in daily problem solving, and that the last thing you need is bad news. I was up to my ears in work, and literally talking on two phones at once like a tycoon in an old movie. Other times, it can land you both up to your ears in big trouble. Jonah knows very well what a real story is because he was up to his ears in one of the biggest political scandals in history. According to a debt management firm ‘one in three adults are up to their ears in debt.’ The staff in our accounts department is getting so many orders that they're up to their ears in work. John is up to his ears in preparing for the march on Saturday - will be a long day. We are up to our ears in taxes, but don't seem to be getting any benefits. Origin Old English ēare, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch oor and German Ohr, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin auris and Greek ous. ear² nounɪrir 1The seed-bearing head or spike of a cereal plant. Example sentencesExamples The new growth - the young ear and stem segments of SS-FP was significantly slowed by the canopy cover. In half of the plants, sink size was reduced by retaining only the five central spikelets of an ear. In this case, the phenotypic description included the measurements of the length of the awn considering those of the more distal spikelets of the ear. There was no significant difference in grain number per ear observed in unstressed plants of mutants. Measurements were conducted at 20°C at the second leaf of seedlings and at 25°C at the second leaf above the ear during flowering. The number of nodes on the most apical branch, which is an ear in normal plants, was counted. In the case of cereals, grain is the primary yield and total production depends on the number of plants per area, tillers per plant, number of ears per tiller, grains per ear and mass per grain. It is most noticeable as grayish black galls on the ear of the plant. Multiple endosperms from a single ear were combined for analysis. This ear to ear variation was probably due largely to sporadic male sterility which resulted in a small but apparently significant reduction in the number of grains per ear in some plants. The data from these five populations, each planted from an individual ear, are presented in Table 8. The A158 ear always has paired spikelets, one sessile and one pedicellate. Plants were allowed to open-pollinate and all measurements were taken on plants with a fertilized ear. 1.1North American A head of corn. Example sentencesExamples With a sharp knife, slide the blade down the ear of corn removing kernels. Until I do, keep an eye out for me at the movies, in the record shops, or simply in the supermarket shopping for a good ear of sweet corn. And oh yeah, save her an ear of roasted corn and a cold frosty one for me, would ya? Last year I had corn earworm damage in just about every ear. By sticking an ear of dried corn on top, he lured squirrels to charge up the board and then spin around for a dizzying ride. Raccoons' habit of moving on to the next ear of corn before finishing the first makes them especially damaging to fields of both sweet corn and field corn. Virgo has been depicted as a winged maiden holding a palm branch in her left hand and an ear of corn in her right. In the piles were 10 red ears of corn and whoever found a red ear of corn got to kiss whoever they wanted to. When an ear of corn is broken in half, the tip half shows the smooth endosperm. Place two potatoes, one lobster, a half pound clams and one ear corn on each piece. The dignity inherent in the farmer's labour is enhanced rather than diminished as he turns every tenth ear of corn over to support those who labour in a different field. An average ear of corn weighs from 10 to 14 ounces and yields about 1 cup of kernels. Hold the husked ear of corn upright in a deep, wide bowl. Place the ear of corn into a saucepan and cover with water. Origin Old English ēar, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch aar and German Ähre. noun.1 phr. noun.2
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