2025-08-26 Phrases with ‘ear’ – English In A Minute

Introduction

The ear is a ‘sense organ’ – it’s what we use to hear. Did you know there are some useful phrases that we use with the word ‘ear’? Learn some of them here with Georgie.

Phrases with ‘ear’

music to one’s ears
great news that makes you happy

• I only see you once a year, so it’s music to my ears that you’ve decided to stay another night.

play it by ear
don’t make a plan and see how things develop; be spontaneous

• You don’t know what time you’ll finish work today? OK. Let’s just play it by ear with our dinner plans then – I can be flexible.

lend an ear
listen sympathetically to someone who needs support

• My best friend is always available to lend an ear when I feel down.

up to one’s ears in (something)
(something) is taking all your time and attention  

• She’s up to her ears in wedding planning. She can’t think about anything else!

TRANSCRIPT

Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.

Georgie
This is my ear, but what phrases can we make with ‘ear’?
 
If something is music to your ears, it’s great news that makes you happy.
 
We’re getting a pay rise? That’s music to my ears!
 
If you don’t make a plan, you can play it by ear – just see what happens and be spontaneous.
 
We don’t have a schedule for the trip – we’re just going to play it by ear.
 
If you lend an ear, you listen sympathetically to someone who needs support.
 
You look upset. Do you want me to lend an ear?
 
And finally, if you’re up to your ears in something, it’s taking all your time and attention – you’re extremely busy and at capacity. 
 
I can’t go out tonight – I’m up to my ears in work!
 
Now, go out there and use these phrases, and don’t forget to lend an ear to your friends!