listen

I'm listening. and I'm all ears.

Inf. You have my attention, so you should talk. Bob: Look, old pal. I want to talk to you about something. Tom: I'm listening. Bill: I guess I owe you an apology. Jane: I'm all ears.

listen for someone or something

to try to hear someone or something. I will have to let you in the front door if you come home late. I will listen for you. I am listening for the telephone.

listen in (on someone or something)

1. to join someone or a group as a listener. The band is rehearsing. Let's go listen in on them. It won't hurt to listen in, will it?

2. to eavesdrop on someone. Please don't try to listen in on us. This is a private conversation. I am not listening in. I was here first. You are talking too loud.

listen to someone or something 

1. to pay attention to and hear someone or something. Listen to me! Hear what I have to say! I want to listen to his speech.

2. to heed someone, orders, or advice. Listen to me! Do what I tell you! You really should listen to his advice.

listen to reason

to yield to a reasonable argument; to take the reasonable course. Please listen to reason, and don't do something you'll regret. She got into trouble because she wouldn't listen to reason.

See also: reason

listen up

to listen carefully. (Usually a command.) Now, listen up! This is important. Listen up, you guys!

See also: up

stop, look, and listen

to exercise caution, especially at street corners and railroad crossings, by stopping, looking to the left and to the right, and listening for approaching vehicles or a train. Sally's mother trained her to stop, look, and listen at every street corner. It is a good practice to stop, look, and listen at a railroad crossing.

See also: and

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listen to reason

to be influenced by arguments It's too bad we had to take this problem to court, but that man wouldn't listen to reason.

Usage notes: often used in the form not listen to reason, as in the example

See also: reason