English idiom

lend an ear

Register · Neutral CEFR B1

Post

Figurative meaning

to listen to someone attentively and with sympathy

Word picture

A listener is pictured offering an ear to the person who needs to speak.

Example

“When I was worried about the interview, Priya lent an ear without interrupting.”

Dictionary details

Component words

lend ear

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

wet behind the ears

young and inexperienced

break the ice

To do or say something that eases tension and gets people talking comfortably in an unfamiliar social situation.

drop someone a line

to get in touch by sending a short note, message, or email

get one's message across

to make people understand what you mean or want to say

pop the question

To propose marriage to someone.

sweet nothings

affectionate romantic words that flatter but say little of substance

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

markdown