put a bug in someone's ear
To make a small suggestion or give a hint that causes the listener to act.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I will put a bug in his ear about the party.”
“I put a bug in my manager's ear that we need more help on this project.”
“She quietly put a bug in the director's ear regarding the potential benefits of the new policy, hoping he would consider it for the upcoming board meeting.”
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all ears
Listening intently; fully focused.
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all eyes and ears
Very attentive.
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another nail in someone's coffin
An event that increases the likelihood of or causes further failure.
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answer someone's prayers
To be or do exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.
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answer to someone's prayers
Exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.
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apple of someone's eye
The object of somebody's affections; a person (or sometimes a thing) that someone strongly prefers; a favorite, a loved one.
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are your ears burning
Asked of somebody who was not present but was the topic of discussion.
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bane of someone's existence
Someone or something that poses a significant problem to someone.
Last updated August 10, 2026