# donkey's ears

idiom

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

## Meaning

A long time, years and years.

## Examples

- I have not seen my old friend for donkey's ears.
- We have lived in this small village for donkey's ears, so we know everyone here.
- Having worked at the same company for donkey's ears, she felt it was finally time to seek a new challenge elsewhere.

## Origin

1916 UK, from British rhyming slang, rhyming with years, due to donkey’s ears being long.

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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.