the organ of hearing and balance in humans and other vertebrates, especially the external part of this.
an organ sensitive to sound in other animals.
[in singular] an ability to recognize, appreciate, and reproduce sounds, especially music or language:an ear for rhythm and melody
used to refer to a person’s willingness to listen to others:she offers a sympathetic ear to worried pet owners
be all ears
informal be listening eagerly:I’m all ears, tell me about it
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
grin (or smile) from ear to ear
smile broadly:you’ll come out of the show grinning 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
have someone's ear
have access to and influence with someone:he claimed to have the prime minister’s ear
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
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
listen with half an ear
not give one’s full attention:her husband listened to her with half an ear as he watched television
be out on one's ear
informal be dismissed ignominiously:if this cheque bounces, you’re out on your ear
reach someone's ears
be heard or heard about by someone:the sound of running feet reached my earsone of those stories reached our ears
up to one's ears in
informal very busy with:I’m up to my ears in work here
