can't believe (your) ears

if you can't believe your ears, you are very surprised at something that someone tells you.

She couldn't believe her ears when they told her Jim had been arrested. (usually in past tenses)

• the plot thickens
• the plot thickens.
• the point of no return
• the pot calling the kettle black
• the power behind the throne
• the powers that be
• the primrose path
• the prodigal son
• the promised land
• the proof of the pudding .
• the proof of the pudding
• the proof of the pudding is in the eating
• the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
• the pros and cons
• the rank and file
• the real McCoy
• there and then
• There are no flies on .
• There are no flies on someone.
• There are plenty more where that came from.
• There are plenty more where they came from.
• There but for the grace of God .
• There but for the grace of God go I.
• Thereby hangs a tale.
• the received wisdom