English Idiom – In one ear and out the other or Go in one ear and out the other.

Meaning – This expression is used to describe a situation where someone hears information but doesn’t retain or remember it. It means that the information has been quickly forgotten or ignored and has had no lasting impact on the listener.

This idiom can be used to describe a variety of situations, such as when someone is giving advice that is not taken seriously, when instructions are given but not followed, or when a person is simply not paying attention to what is being said. It can also be used to describe situations where someone is intentionally ignoring or disregarding information.

Ears:

  • All ears (idiom) – To be fully attentive or ready to listen to what someone has to say.
  • Lend an ear (idiom) – To listen carefully or to give someone your attention.
  • Music to my ears (idiom) – Very pleasing information or news.
  • Play it by ear (idiom) – To decide what to do as a situation develops.
  • Turn a deaf ear (idiom) – To ignore or refuse to listen to something, usually because you don’t want to hear it or it goes against your beliefs.
  • Walls have ears (idiom) – To be careful what you say or do because someone may be listening or watching.

Usage:

  • If you give someone advice or instructions, but they don’t seem to be taking it seriously or aren’t following through.
  • You tell a friend something important and they forget it almost immediately.
  • If you’re trying to engage someone in a conversation or get their opinion on something, but they seem completely uninterested or indifferent.
  • A family member is preoccupied with their own thoughts or concerns, they may not be fully present or attentive to what you’re saying

Example:

  • “You can give him advice, but it just goes in one ear and out the other!”

In The News:

“It’s the advice that has been recited again and again, spit out and recycled, in one ear and out the other, passed along from generation to generation.”

Listen:

Discuss:

  • Is there an idiom like this in your country?

What is an idiom?

An idiom is a word or phrase that is not taken literally.  An idiom is an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its individual words, but has a separate meaning of its own.

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