ENGLISH
REFERENCE

have one's ears lowered

idiom
Meaning

To get a haircut.


Origin

disputed origin

Hair cuts change the relative position of the end of a person's hair and the person's ears and the term is based on the humorous supposition that the same effect could have been achieved by moving the ears lower down the person's face.

Examples
SIMPLE

I really need to have my ears lowered this weekend.

CONTEXTUAL

You look a bit shaggy, so you should probably go have your ears lowered before the interview.

COMPLEX

After months of neglecting his appearance, he finally visited the barber to have his ears lowered.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    abound in one's own sense

    To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.

  2. 02

    ace up one's sleeve

    A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.

  3. 03

    act one's age

    To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.

  4. 04

    act one's age, not one's shoe size

    Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).

  5. 05

    afraid of one's own shadow

    Exceptionally timid.

  6. 06

    air one's dirty laundry in public

    To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.

  7. 07

    air one's dirty linen in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

  8. 08

    albatross around one's neck

    A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.

Last updated July 12, 2026