# box someone's ears

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/box-someones-ears
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To slap someone on the side of the head, usually as an informal punishment.

## Examples

- If you keep teasing your sister, she will box your ears.
- The old man threatened to box the boy's ears if he did not stop throwing rocks at the window.
- The stern governess warned the children that she would box their ears should they continue to disrupt the quiet of the library.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.