I share 30 idioms related to ears and noses. These idioms will help you understand their meanings and see how they are used in sentences. Ear and nose idioms add color to our language, providing vivid expressions that describe various scenarios.
From listening intently to sticking your nose into someone’s business, each idiom offers unique insight into everyday expressions. Whether you’re looking to improve your English or simply enjoy the richness of the language, this collection will be informative and engaging. if you understand these idioms, you enhance your communication skills and appreciate the nuances of English.
list of 30 idioms for ear and nose
- All ears
- Music to my ears
- Turn a deaf ear
- Play it by ear
- In one ear and out the other
- Wet behind the ears
- Lend an ear
- Have an ear for
- Keep your ear to the ground
- Fall on deaf ears
- Ears are burning
- Earful
- Give ear
- Prick up your ears
- Ear candy
- Big ears
- Blow it out your ear
- Grin from ear to ear
- Nose for trouble
- Lead by the nose
- Rub noses
- Stick your nose in
- Pay through the nose
- Under your nose
- Keep your nose clean
- Nose out of joint
- Nose dive
- Cut off your nose to spite your face
- Nose around
- Thumb your nose
Best Idioms for Ear
All ears
Meaning: Listening intently.
Example: I’m all ears for your story.
Music to my ears
Meaning: Pleasing information.
Example: Her praise was music to my ears.
Turn a deaf ear
Meaning: Ignore.
Example: He turned a deaf ear to complaints.
Play it by ear
Meaning: Improvise.
Example: We’ll play it by ear at the party.
In one ear and out the other
Meaning: Forget quickly.
Example: His advice went in one ear and out the other.
Wet behind the ears
Meaning: Inexperienced.
Example: He’s still wet behind the ears in this job.
Lend an ear
Meaning: Listen.
Example: Lend an ear to her problems.
Have an ear for
Meaning: Good at listening.
Example: She has an ear for languages.
Keep your ear to the ground
Meaning: Stay informed.
Example: Keep your ear to the ground for news.
Fall on deaf ears
Meaning: Ignored.
Example: Her plea fell on deaf ears.
Ears are burning
Meaning: Someone is talking about you.
Example: My ears are burning, someone must be gossiping.
Earful
Meaning: A lot of information.
Example: She gave me an earful about the project.
Give ear
Meaning: Listen carefully.
Example: Give ear to the teacher’s instructions.
Prick up your ears
Meaning: Listen with interest.
Example: The children pricked up their ears at the sound.
Funny Idioms for Ear
Ear candy
Meaning: Pleasing to hear.
Example: The song was pure ear candy.
Big ears
Meaning: Eavesdropper.
Example: Be careful, she has big ears.
Blow it out your ear
Meaning: Stop talking nonsense.
Example: Blow it out your ear, I’m not interested.
Grin from ear to ear
Meaning: Very happy.
Example: He was grinning from ear to ear after the win.
Idioms for Ear and Nose
Nose for trouble
Meaning: Can sense problems.
Example: She has a nose for trouble at work.
Lead by the nose
Meaning: Dominate.
Example: He led his team by the nose to victory.
Rub noses
Meaning: Be friendly.
Example: The two puppies rubbed noses in greeting.
Stick your nose in
Meaning: Interfere.
Example: Don’t stick your nose in other people’s business.
Funny Idioms for Nose
Pay through the nose
Meaning: Overpay.
Example: They paid through the nose for that car.
Under your nose
Meaning: Obvious.
Example: The answer was right under your nose.
Keep your nose clean
Meaning: Stay out of trouble.
Example: He kept his nose clean after the warning.
Nose out of joint
Meaning: Upset.
Example: She got her nose out of joint over the comment.
Idioms for Long Nose
Nose dive
Meaning: Sudden decline.
Example: The stock prices took a nose dive.
Cut off your nose to spite your face
Meaning: Self-destructive.
Example: Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face over a minor issue.
Nose around
Meaning: Investigate.
Example: He likes to nose around in the archives.
Thumb your nose
Meaning: Show disrespect.
Example: He thumbed his nose at the rules.
What are some common idioms about listening?
Common idioms about listening include “all ears,” meaning to listen intently, and “turn a deaf ear,” which means to ignore something. These expressions help convey specific actions or attitudes related to listening in an engaging way.
How do idioms involving the nose describe behavior?
Idioms involving the nose often describe behaviors such as interference or attention to detail. For example, “stick your nose in” means to interfere in someone else’s business, while “keep your nose clean” means to stay out of trouble. These idioms provide a colorful way to describe actions and attitudes.
Can ear and nose idioms make language more vivid?
Yes, ear and nose idioms can make language more vivid by adding colorful expressions that describe common actions and attitudes. For instance, “play it by ear” means to improvise, and “pay through the nose” means to overpay. These idioms enrich communication and make it more engaging.
