deaf (redirected from falling on deaf ears)

*deaf as a post

deaf. (*Also:as ~.) When my cousin was a teenager, she played her drum set without ear protection, and she was as deaf as a post by the age of twenty-five. Mark can't hear you even if you shout; he's deaf as a post.

See also: post

deaf and dumb

unable to hear or speak. (Used without any intended malice, but no longer considered polite. Sometimes euphemized as "hearing and speech impaired.") Fred objected to being called deaf and dumb. Aunt Clara—she was deaf and dumb, you know—lived to be over 100.

See also: and, dumb

fall on deaf ears

Fig. [for talk or ideas] to be ignored by the persons they were intended for. Her pleas for mercy fell on deaf ears; the judge gave her the maximum sentence. All of Sally's good advice fell on deaf ears. Walter had made up his own mind.

See also: ear, fall

There's none so deaf as those who will not hear.

Prov. If you tell someone something that he or she does not want to know, he or she will not pay attention to you. I tried repeatedly to tell my supervisor about the low morale in our department, but there's none so deaf as those who will not hear.

See also: hear, none, those, who

turn a deaf ear (to someone or something)

to ignore what someone says; to ignore a cry for help. How can you just turn a deaf ear to their cries for food and shelter? Jack turned a deaf ear to our pleading.

See also: ear, turn

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be as deaf as a post  (British, American & Australian informal) also be as deaf as a doorknob/doornail (Australian)

to be completely deaf She's 89 and as deaf as a post.

See fall on deaf ears, turn a deaf ear

See also: post

fall on deaf ears

if a request or advice falls on deaf ears, people ignore it Appeals to release the hostages fell on deaf ears. Warnings that sunbathing can lead to skin cancer have largely fallen on deaf ears in Britain.

See also: ear, fall

turn a deaf ear

to ignore someone when they complain or ask for something (often + to ) In the past they've tended to turn a deaf ear to such requests.

See also: ear, turn

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something falls on deaf ears

a statement, opinion, or suggestion is ignored Jennifer suggested that Harold should get a job, but of course her advice fell on deaf ears.

See also: ear, fall

turn a deaf ear to something

to ignore what someone is saying The Supreme Court said there was a need for action, but Congress has turned a deaf ear to the Court. Mei-ling's father turned a deaf ear to any criticism of how he had taught his daughter.

See also: ear, turn