a fair hearing
The chance to present one's argument or explanation about an alleged crime or wrongdoing, especially in a courtroom. All we ask is for a fair hearing—to present our evidence without prejudice by judge or jury. He'll get a fair hearing, but I really don't think he'll be found innocent—the evidence against him is too damning. Our organization works to ensure that everyone gets a fair hearing.
hard of hearing
Describing someone whose ability to hear is limited. Grandpa is hard of hearing, so be prepared to speak loudly or repeat yourself a lot. After years of playing in loud rock band, I'm hard of hearing. Thank goodness Dad finally acknowledged that he's hard of hearing and got a hearing aid.
hear (one) loud and clear
1. To be clearly able to hear and understand what one is saying over the telephone or radio. Yes, ground control, I hear you loud and clear. We're hearing you loud and clear, Reggie. You can go ahead and bring your rig into the station. A: "How's the connection? Can you still hear me?" B: "Yep, you're coming in loud and clear, boss."
2. To understand exactly what one means. I heard you loud and clear, Janet—first secure the deal, and then worry about the details. A: "Do you understand why this is so important?" B: "Yes, yes, I hear you loud and clear." A: "If you come home after curfew one more time, you'll be grounded for the next two months—got it?" B: "Yes, Mom. I hear you loud and clear."
hear (something) straight from the horse's mouth
To obtain information from the original or most reliable source. A: "Is our test really getting rescheduled?" B: "Yep, I heard the news straight from the horse's mouth! Mrs. Whitford told me this morning." You shouldn't believe anything you hear about the company unless you hear it straight from the horse's mouth. No, until I hear it straight from the horse's mouth, I refuse to believe that Bill kissed Kelly at the dance.
hear (something) through
To listen to something in its entirety. I know you're already angry, but please hear my apology through. The board of directors said they're willing to hear our proposal through! Please just hear his arguments through before you make any final decisions.
hear crickets
To receive no response or reaction at all from someone else, typically indicating displeasure or disapproval. I thought my book was going to be a huge hit, but I heard crickets when I showed it to my publisher. A: "Well, did the board of directors like your presentation?" B: "I guess not. We heard crickets after we were finished." I tried to warn her that her jokes were not funny, and, sure enough, she heard crickets from the audience.
hear from (one)
1. To receive a message from one. A: "Do you ever hear from Tom?" B: "No, not since he moved." When can we expect to hear from the lawyer? If you don't hear from me in the next day or two, then proceed as we agreed.
2. To be scolded or lectured by one (for some wrongdoing). Ugh, I'm definitely going to hear from my parents when they see my bad grades this semester. Expect to hear from the government if you decide to skip out on paying your taxes. We're gonna hear it from the boss when she sees the glaring error in this month's issue.
3. To be told something by a specific person. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "hear" and "from." A: "Who told you there were going to be layoffs?" B: "I heard it from Sarah." I heard a really interesting lecture from a man who sold all his possessions so he could travel around the world. Wow, that's harsh. Who'd you hear that nasty rumor from?
hear ill of (someone)
To overhear and endure negative or disparaging comments about someone. Often used in negative constructions. Though I know my late father perpetrated some awful things while he was alive, it pains me to hear ill of him all the same. He's not generally an aggressive man, but he absolutely who won't hear ill of those he loves. When you're a teen, and you first hear ill of your parents, it's tough to realize they're just imperfect humans like you.
hear of (someone or something)
1. To know or be aware of someone or something. Last week, I'd never even heard of that actress, and now, I'm seeing her everywhere! I've heard of the book before, but I've never read it. I'd never heard of this guy before, but dang if this isn't a catchy song!
2. To learn of something. Michael has a new girlfriend? Why haven't I heard of this? Hey, be careful out there—we've heard of bandits threatening trade routes to the south of here. A: "No, seriously, there's a mystical gem deep in the jungles of South America that has the power to grant immortal life!" B: "Well, this is the first I've heard of it!"
3. To consider something or allow something (to happen). In this usage, the phrase is typically used negatively to emphasize that one will not consider or allow something to happen. A: "I'd like to pay for dinner to thank you for your generosity." B: "I won't hear of it, my boy! You are our guest." My mother wouldn't hear of us going to an out-of-state college. I won't hear of my sister living in a tiny, roach-infested apartment. Please come stay with me.
hear out
To listen to and consider the entirety of what one has to say, often when the listener is reluctant to do so. A noun or pronoun can be used between "hear" and "out." I know you don't want to change our plans, but hear me out—if we go to the beach on Saturday instead of Friday, we can probably avoid this storm. The board of directors said they're willing to hear us out. Please just hear out his arguments before you make any final decisions.
hear tell
To be told (about) or learn (of something). Typically followed by "of" or "that." We've been hearing tell that bandits are threatening trade routes to the south of here. I heard tell of a mystical gem deep in the jungles of South America that has the power to grant immortal life! Michael has a new girlfriend? Well, this is the first I've heard tell of it!
hear tell of (something)
To be told about or learn of something. We've been hearing tell of bandits who have been threatening trade routes to the south of here. I heard tell of a mystical gem deep in the jungles of South America that has the power to grant immortal life! Michael has a new girlfriend? Well, this is the first I've heard tell of it!
hear tell that (something is the case)
To learn or be told that something is the case. We've been hearing tell that bandits are threatening trade routes to the south of here. A: "Do you know about this so-called 'Eye of Heaven' gem hidden in the jungles of South America?" B: "Yes, I've heard tell that it has the power to grant immortal life!" Well, this is the first I've heard tell that Michael has a new girlfriend! Is this just a rumor, or did it come from a reliable source?
hear the call of the wild
To experience an intense yearning to be in or explore nature, especially in its most primal and undomesticated state. I was working for a high-pressure law firm in the heart of the city when I suddenly heard the call of the wild. Within six months, I had sold all my possessions and moved out to a tiny plot of land in the middle of the woods. If you hear the call of the wild this summer and decide to go camping or hiking, make sure you have the right kind of gear. Mother nature can be unforgiving if you come unprepared. Because he'd grown up so close to the forest, the child often heard the call of the wild. His favorite pastime became wandering through the trees.
hear word (from someone or something)
To receive or be given a message or communication (from someone or something). We're hearing word from police that the suspect is moving south on Broadway in a white pickup truck. Please let me know if you hear word from Aunt Marie—I'm starting to worry about her. I heard word from the newlyweds yesterday, and they're really enjoying their honeymoon.
hearing things
Having auditory hallucinations. Bob: "Listen, I'm sure that someone is right behind us!" Jack: "Bob, you're hearing things. There's nothing out here but us and the wind." Wait, you really didn't say anything? Huh, I must be hearing things! A: "Am I hearing things?" B: "No, there's definitely some sort of animal crying outside."
hearing-impaired
Deaf or partially deaf. Some deaf people advocate the avoidance of this term in favor of the more straightforwardly descriptive terms “deaf” and “hard of hearing.” Grandpa is hearing-impaired, so be prepared to speak loudly or repeat yourself a lot. Uncle Jack is hearing-impaired, so you'll probably find his TV blaring when you go inside.
in hearing distance
Close enough to clearly hear what someone says or does. They didn't realize I was in hearing distance when they were discussing my performance in school. Let's step outside—I don't want to fight while they're in hearing distance. Dude, stop talking. My mom's in hearing distance!
within hearing distance
Close enough to clearly hear what someone says or does. They didn't realize I was within hearing distance when they were discussing my performance in school. Let's step outside—I don't want to fight while they're within hearing distance.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.