ENGLISH
REFERENCE

mind's ear

idiom
Meaning

The mental faculty or inner sense with which one produces or reproduces imagined or recalled sounds solely within the mind; the supposed organ within the mind which experiences such sounds.

Origin

disputed origin

From mind (noun) + -’s (possessive marker) + ear, probably modelled after mind’s eye.

Examples
SIMPLE

I can hear the melody in my mind's ear.

CONTEXTUAL

When I read the sheet music, I can hear the entire symphony playing in my mind's ear.

COMPLEX

The composer claimed he could hear the intricate harmonies of his final masterpiece clearly within his mind's ear long before he wrote a single note.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all ears

    Listening intently; fully focused.

  2. 02

    all eyes and ears

    Very attentive.

  3. 03

    are your ears burning

    Asked of somebody who was not present but was the topic of discussion.

  4. 04

    beat someone round the ears

    To beat (a person) with blows about the head.

  5. 05

    believe one's ears

    To believe that something which one hears is truly the case.

  6. 06

    bend someone's ear

    To bore; to talk too long, especially to one particular person.

  7. 07

    box someone's ears

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

  8. 08

    burn someone's ears

    To cause blushing of someone's ears due to strong embarrassment.

Last updated July 12, 2026