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Turn a Deaf Ear

What Does "Turn a Deaf Ear" Mean?

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"Turn a deaf ear" is an English idiom. It means "to ignore or deliberately not listen to something, often used when someone refuses to heed advice, criticism, or pleas."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "turn a deaf ear" used in a sentence:
  • Despite her friends' warnings, she chose to turn a deaf ear to their concerns about her unhealthy lifestyle.
  • The politician turned a deaf ear to the calls for transparency and accountability in government.
  • It's frustrating when people turn a deaf ear to constructive feedback that could help them improve.
meaning for turn a deaf ear

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Turn a Deaf Ear" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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