someone's ears are burning

(one's) ears are burning

One intuits that people were talking about them, despite not witnessing it. Are you two talking about me? My ears are burning. No wonder your ears are burning—Mom and I were just talking about you and your new job. A: "Well, my ears are burning now. Why are you guys so quiet all of a sudden?" B: "Oh, no reason."

See also: burning, ear

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

someone's ears are burning

someone is subconsciously aware of being talked about, especially in their absence.

The superstition that your ears tingle when you are being talked about is recorded from the mid 16th century. Originally it was the left ear only that was supposed to do so.

See also: burning, ear

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