Idiom
fall on deaf ears
Meanings
To be ignored or not taken seriously, even after being said repeatedly.
Definition
If something falls on deaf ears, the people who hear it ignore it or do not respond.
When something falls on deaf ears, a warning, request, or advice is not listened to or acted on. The listener may hear the words but chooses to ignore them or doesn’t take them seriously. It often suggests frustration because the speaker expected a response or change.
Examples
- My warnings about the deadline fell on deaf ears.
- Her request for help fell on deaf ears, and she had to do it alone.
- At the meeting, his concerns fell on deaf ears.
- Their advice fell on deaf ears until the problem got worse.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idioms
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- close but no cigar Used to say someone almost succeeded but did not quite achieve the goal.
- down to the wire If something goes down to the wire, it is decided at the very last moment before the deadline or fi…
- lost the plot To become confused or unreasonable and no longer understand what is happening or what matters.
- ducks in a row To have everything organized and ready in the correct order.