Fall on deaf ears Meaning in English
expression
ˈfɑɫ/, /ˈfɔɫ/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn/ /ˈdɛf/ /ˈiɹz/, /ˈɪɹz
FAWL on DEF eerz
fˈɔːl/ /ˈɒn/ /dˈɛf/ /ˈiəz
FAWL on DEF ee-uhz
Definition
If something 'falls on deaf ears,' it means that advice, warnings, or requests are ignored or not listened to.
Usage & Nuances
This is an idiom, used in both formal and informal settings for any situation where someone ignores spoken suggestions or warnings. Commonly paired with 'my advice/warnings fell on deaf ears.' Interchangeable with 'ignored,' but more expressive.
Spanish: caer en saco roto - ser ignoradoPortuguese (BR): cair em ouvidos surdos - ser ignoradoPortuguese (PT): cair em ouvidos surdos - ser ignoradoChinese (Simplified): 充耳不闻 - 被忽视Chinese (Traditional): 充耳不聞 - 被忽視Hindi: अनसुना रह जाना - किसी का ध्यान न देनाArabic: يقع على آذان صماء - يتجاهلBengali: কানেই না যাওয়া - অগ্রাহ্য হওয়াRussian: игнорироваться - остаться без вниманияJapanese: 聞く耳を持たない - 無視されるVietnamese: bị phớt lờ - bị bỏ ngoài taiKorean: 귀담아 듣지 않다 - 무시되다Turkish: kulak asmamak - duymazdan gelmekUrdu: کان پڑی نہ سنی گئی - نظرانداز کرناIndonesian: diabaikan - masuk telinga kiri keluar telinga kanan
Example Sentences
My warnings to him fell on deaf ears.
basic
Her advice always falls on deaf ears at work.
basic
Requests for change fell on deaf ears.
basic
No matter how much I tried, my suggestions just fell on deaf ears.
natural
His pleas for help fell on deaf ears during the crisis.
natural
Their complaints to management fell on deaf ears, so nothing changed.
natural