# have one's ears lowered

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/have-ones-ears-lowered
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To get a haircut.

## Examples

- I really need to have my ears lowered this weekend.
- Does your father usually have his ears lowered at the local barber shop?
- You look a bit shaggy, so you should probably go have your ears lowered before the interview.
- My brother decided to have his ears lowered because his long hair was getting in his eyes while he played sports.
- The soldiers are required to have their ears lowered every few weeks to keep their appearance neat and professional.
- After months of neglecting his appearance, he finally visited the barber to have his ears lowered.

## Origin

The expression relies upon the geometrical observation that a haircut alters the distance between the hair’s edge and the ears. It proceeds from the supposition that the resulting exposure of the ears could be achieved with equal efficiency by physically shifting the ears further down the face. The idiom is recorded as a humorous alternative to the standard description of a haircut, treating a routine cosmetic adjustment as a matter of anatomical relocation. The visual outcome remains the same; the method of arrival is merely more invasive.

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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.