put a bug in ear

put a bug in (one's) ear

To speak to one in order to impart some particular information, suggestion, hint, or warning. I've been putting a bug in his ear for months about what I wanted for my birthday, but he was totally clueless when the day came. They weren't listening to me, so I asked my boss to put a word in their ear about the importance of meeting this deadline.

See also: bug, ear, put

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

put a bug in (someone's) ear

Informal

To impart useful information to (another) in a subtle, discreet way.

See also: bug, ear, put

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.