fall on deaf ears
/ˌfɔːl ɒn ˌdef ˈɪəz/NEUTRAL · C2
Meaning
to be ignored by the people who are told it
Examples
- 1My advice to save some money fell on deaf ears; he spent it all in a week.
- 2So far, the teacher's warnings about the exam have fallen on deaf ears.
- 3We asked the neighbours to turn the music down, but our request fell on deaf ears.
- 4Why do my suggestions always fall on deaf ears, when Tom says exactly the same and everyone agrees?
- 5The plan to close the library didn't fall on deaf ears: hundreds of people signed a letter.
Grammar
The subject is the advice, warning or request, not the person. Only fall changes: falls, fell, fallen.
More idioms about communication
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →keep someone postedto tell someone the latest news as things changea slip of the tonguea small mistake when you say a different word by accidentlost for wordsso surprised or moved that you cannot speakclear the airto talk openly to end bad feelings between peoplespeak volumesto show something very clearly without wordsthe gift of the gabthe ability to talk easily and persuasively
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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