IdiomBody & Senses
English
Englishgive someone an earful
Meaning: To scold someone at length, or tell them angrily what one thinks.
Example: “When I came home three hours late, my mother gave me an earful.”
Origin: "Earful," meaning as much talk as the ear can take, appears in American English in the early 20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Tirer les oreilles Literally: To pull the ears
More English idioms
- not know which way to turn To be so overwhelmed or confused that one does not know what to do.
- watch one's step To be careful how one behaves, to avoid trouble.
- have a lot on one's plate To have many tasks or problems to deal with.
- mend fences To repair a damaged relationship after a disagreement.
- play one's last card To make a final attempt, using the last resource one has.
- take potshots at To criticize someone in a casual, unfair or opportunistic way.
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