EAR

(BODY PART) [noun] [C] - either of the two organs, one on each side of the head, by which people or animals hear sounds, or the piece of skin and tissue outside the head connected to this organThe hearing in my left ear's not so good - can you sit on my other side?Van Gogh cut off part of one of his ears after a quarrel.(figurative) I tried to close my ears to (= tried not to listen to) the sounds coming from next door.See also aural.See picture: HeadI'm all ears (= eagerly waiting to hear) - tell us what they had to say.If you have an/your ear to the ground or keep an/your ear to the ground, you pay attention to all that is happening round you and to what people are saying.If you say that someone's ears are burning you mean that they feel as if they are being talked about.All this talk about the boss - her ears must be burning!(informal) If you say that someone's ears are flapping you mean that they are trying to hear what you are saying, although they are not part of your conversation.If I have to listen to something I don't understand, it just goes in one ear and out the other (= is immediately forgotten and has no effect).You must have good ears (= be able to hear well), if you can hear high-pitched sounds like that.If someone has an ear for music or languages, they are good at hearing, repeating or understanding these sounds.She's never had much of an ear for languages.If someone has the ear of an important and powerful person, their ideas are listened to and given importance by that person.Now that he has gained/lost the ear of the Director, he's going to have/lose a lot of influence on policy.(slang) One minute I was in a good job and the next I was out on my ear (= suddenly dismissed).I'm afraid I won't be able to help you - I'm up to my ears in (= very busy with) work. [after verb]She's up to her ears in debt (= very much in debt).An ear-splitting/ear-piercing sound is one that is so loud/high that it hurts your ears.an ear-splitting explosionear-piercing screams. -eared [suffix]a long-eared rabbit (= a rabbit with long ears)