someone's ears are flapping

(someone's) ears are flapping

Someone is listening, or trying to listen, to the details of a private conversation. Let's finish this conversation in the meeting room in case people's ears are flapping nearby. Because it's likely that ears are flapping, I think we should postpone our discussion until a later time. Do you think your co-workers ears are flapping? I don't want anyone else to know the news just yet.

See also: ear, flap

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

someone's ears are flapping

someone is listening intently in order to overhear something not intended for them. informal

See also: ear, flap

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017