ears are burning
Being the topic of discussion in another place; or sensing that this is happening.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“My ears are burning, so someone must be talking about me.”
“I just walked into the room and everyone went quiet, so I suspect my ears are burning.”
“She felt as though her ears were burning, convinced that her colleagues were dissecting her recent performance during the private meeting.”
- 01
all ears
Listening intently; fully focused.
- 02
all eyes and ears
Very attentive.
- 03
are your ears burning
Asked of somebody who was not present but was the topic of discussion.
- 04
beat someone round the ears
To beat (a person) with blows about the head.
- 05
believe one's ears
To believe that something which one hears is truly the case.
- 06
bend someone's ear
To bore; to talk too long, especially to one particular person.
- 07
book burning
Any mass destruction, removal, or recalling of books, motion pictures, broadcasts, or electronic works as a form of censorship, especially motivated by religious or political objections to the material.
- 08
box someone's ears
To slap someone on the side of the head, usually as an informal punishment.
Last updated August 10, 2026