ear · noun C /ɪr/Full view
ear
A1 one of the two body parts on your head that you hear with
Dictionary examples:

She leaned over and whispered something in his ear.

The hearing in my left ear's not so good.

Learner example:

My friend Maria [gave] me a dog. It's a cocker and has long ears. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)

not believe your ears
B2 to be very surprised when you hear what someone says
Dictionary example:

I couldn't believe my ears when Dan said they were getting married.

Learner example:

I couldn't believe my ears. All my wishes had come true. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

play sth by ear
C2 to play a piece of music by remembering the notes
Dictionary example:

She played all the songs by ear.

Learner example:

As the years went by, she found it hard to cope with her slow headway in classical piano and her endlessly unfinished songs played by ear. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

play it by ear
C2 to decide how to deal with a situation as it develops
Dictionary example:

I'm not sure what to tell Dad - I'll just have to play it by ear.

Learner example:

On the way to Cambridge, I had made up my mind to play it by ear. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Turkish)

fall on deaf ears
C2 If advice or a request falls on deaf ears, people ignore it.
Dictionary example:

Our pleas for help fell on deaf ears.

Learner example:

His cry for help and for a more meaningful relationship between himself and Mildred invariably fell on deaf ears. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Chinese)

have an ear for sth
C1 to be good at hearing, repeating, or understanding a particular type of sound
Dictionary examples:

He has no ear for music.

Akosua has an ear for languages - she speaks four.

Learner example:

In terms of communication I believe that I have an ear for languages. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Danish)

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