have a flea in (one's) ear

To have been given a sharp, strident, or disconcerting reproof or rebuff. A: "Hey, I think there's a mistake in the spreadsheet." B: "I know, I know. I already have a flea in my ear from the boss because of it." I can't go out with you guys for the next few weeks now that I have a flea in my ear from my wife about how much I've been spending on golf. A: "I heard the board meeting didn't go especially well, and you now have a flea in your ear from the CEO." B: "Unfortunately, yes, you heard right."

flea in one's ear, to have a

To be upset or annoyed by a rebuke or a rejection. This term dates back at least to the fifteenth century in English, and may be older yet in French. It appeared in John Heywood’s 1546 proverb collection and has continued to be used ever since.