With a flea in your ear
idiom, phrase
To be scolded or told off, usually driven away or rejected.
After I made a mistake at work, my boss sent me home with a flea in my ear.
Often appears as...
- sent home with a flea in your ear
- left with a flea in your ear
Usage tips
Colloquial
idiom, phrase
To be upset or annoyed.
After losing the game, he left with a flea in his ear.
Often appears as...
- left with a flea in your ear
- got a flea in your ear
Usage tips
Colloquial
idiom, phrase
To be scolded or told off, usually driven away or rejected.
After I made a mistake at work, my boss sent me home with a flea in my ear.
Often appears as...
- sent home with a flea in your ear
- left with a flea in your ear
Usage tips
Colloquial
idiom, phrase
To be upset or annoyed.
After losing the game, he left with a flea in his ear.
Often appears as...
- left with a flea in your ear
- got a flea in your ear
Usage tips
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Rejection Feeling
The phrase can imply feeling unwelcome after being reprimanded or criticized.
He told her off and she stormed out with a flea in her ear.
Pro Tip 2/3Intensity Varies
Severity of scolding can affect the emotion behind having a 'flea in your ear'.
The coach's harsh words left the team with a flea in their ears.
Pro Tip 3/3Dismissive Tone
Often used when someone is disregarded or brushed off abruptly.
Dismissed early, the assistant wandered off with a flea in his ear.
Pro Tip 1/3Rejection Feeling
The phrase can imply feeling unwelcome after being reprimanded or criticized.
He told her off and she stormed out with a flea in her ear.
Pro Tip 2/3Intensity Varies
Severity of scolding can affect the emotion behind having a 'flea in your ear'.
The coach's harsh words left the team with a flea in their ears.
Pro Tip 3/3Dismissive Tone
Often used when someone is disregarded or brushed off abruptly.
Dismissed early, the assistant wandered off with a flea in his ear.
Pro Tip 1/3Rejection Feeling
The phrase can imply feeling unwelcome after being reprimanded or criticized.
He told her off and she stormed out with a flea in her ear.
Pro Tip 2/3Intensity Varies
Severity of scolding can affect the emotion behind having a 'flea in your ear'.
The coach's harsh words left the team with a flea in their ears.
Pro Tip 3/3Dismissive Tone
Often used when someone is disregarded or brushed off abruptly.
Dismissed early, the assistant wandered off with a flea in his ear.
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