set by the ears

set (someone) by the ears

To cause (someone, generally a group of two or more people) to engage in a squabble, dispute, or altercation. The entire town was set by the ears when it was announced that a giant megastore would be replacing many of its local shops and grocery marts. Jake likes to set his classmates by the ears as a means of getting attention.

See also: by, ear, set

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

set by the ears

cause people to quarrel.

See also: by, ear, set

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017