be within earshot (of someone or something)
To be close enough to overhear someone or something. They didn't realize I was within earshot when they were discussing my performance in school. Let's step outside—I don't want to fight while the kids are within earshot of this conversation. Hey, close the door, will ya? You never know who's in earshot around here.
come within earshot
To move close enough to clearly hear what someone says or does. They didn't realize I had come within earshot while they were discussing my performance in school. Let's step outside—I don't want the kids to come within earshot while we're arguing. Hey, close the door, will ya? Someone's always liable to come within earshot around here, and I want this to be a secret for now.
in earshot
Close enough to clearly hear what someone says or does. They didn't realize I was in earshot when they were discussing my performance in school. Let's step outside—I don't want to fight while they're in earshot. Hey, close the door, will ya? You never know who's in earshot around here.
move out of earshot (of someone)
To move far enough away from someone that one cannot clearly hear what they say or do. I waited until the boss had moved out of earshot before I started telling Jen my scheme. If you insist on arguing with me, then let's at least move out of earshot of the kids.
move within earshot (of someone)
To move close enough to someone to clearly hear what they say or do. I very discreetly moved within earshot to hear what the boss was saying about me. I was so angry during our fight that I didn't notice that the kids had moved within earshot of us.
out of earshot
Far enough away that one is not able to hear what someone else says or does. My parents never bothered to be out of earshot when they were fighting, so I always knew exactly what was going on in their marriage.
within earshot
Close enough to clearly hear what someone says or does. They didn't realize I was within earshot when they were discussing my performance in school. Let's step outside—I don't want to fight while they're within earshot.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
come within earshot
(of something) Go to within earshot (of something).
move within earshot
(of something) Go to within earshot (of something).
out of earshot
Fig. too far from the source of a sound to hear the sound. I was out of earshot and could not hear the conversation. Mary waited until her children were out of earshot before mentioning the presents she got them.
*within earshot (of something)
close enough to something to hear it. (*Typically: be ~; come ~; get ~; move ~.) As soon as I got within earshot of the music, I decided that I really didn't belong there.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.