hearing
Related to hearing: hearing loss, Hearing test
a fair hearing
The chance to present one's argument or explanation about an alleged crime or wrongdoing, especially in a courtroom. All we ask is for a fair hearing—to present our evidence without prejudice by judge or jury.
See also: fair, hearing
hard of hearing
Describing someone whose ability to hear is limited. Grandpa is hard of hearing, so be prepared to speak loudly or repeat yourself a lot.
See also: hard, hearing, of
hear (one) loud and clear
1. To be clearly able to hear and understand what one is saying over the telephone or radio. Yes, ground control, I hear you loud and clear. We're hearing you loud and clear, Reggie. You can go ahead and bring your rig into the station.
2. To understand exactly what one means. I heard you loud and clear, Janet—first secure the deal, and then worry about the details. A: "Do you understand why this is so important?" B: "Yes, yes, I hear you loud and clear."
See also: and, clear, hear, loud
hear (something) straight from the horse's mouth
To obtain information from the original or most reliable source. A: "Is our test really getting rescheduled?" B: "Yep, I heard the news straight from the horse's mouth! Mrs. Whitford told me this morning." You shouldn't believe anything you hear about the company unless you hear it straight from the horse's mouth.
See also: hear, mouth, straight
hear (something) through
To listen to something in its entirety. I know you're already angry, but please hear my apology through.
See also: hear, through
hear from (one)
1. To receive a message from one. A: "Do you ever hear from Tom?" B: "No, not since he moved." When can we expect to hear from the lawyer? If you don't hear from me in the next day or two, then proceed as we agreed.
2. To be scolded or lectured by one (for some wrongdoing). Ugh, I'm definitely going to hear from my parents when they see my bad grades this semester. Expect to hear from the government if you decide to skip out on paying your taxes.
3. To be told something by a specific person. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "hear" and "from." A: "Who told you there were going to be layoffs?" B: "I heard it from Sarah." I heard a really interesting lecture from a man who sold all his possessions so he could travel around the world.
See also: hear
hear of (someone or something)
1. To know of someone or something. Last week, I'd never even heard of that actress, and now, I'm seeing her everywhere!
2. To learn of someone or something. Michael has a new girlfriend? Why haven’t I heard of this?
3. To consider something or allow something (to happen). In this usage, the phrase is typically used negatively to emphasize that one will not consider or allow something to happen. A: "I'd like to pay for dinner to thank you for your generosity." B: "I won't hear of it, my boy! You are our guest." My mother wouldn't hear of us going to an out-of-state college.
See also: hear, of
hear out
To listen to and consider the entirety of what one has to say, often when the listener is reluctant to do so. A noun or pronoun can be used between "hear" and "out." I know you don't want to change our plans, but hear me out—if we go to the beach on Saturday instead of Friday, we can probably avoid this storm. The board of directors said they're willing to hear us out. Please just hear out his arguments before you make any final decisions.
See also: hear, out
hear word (from someone or something)
To receive or be given a message or communication (from someone or something). We're hearing word from police that the suspect is moving south on Broadway in a white pickup truck. Please let me know if you hear word from Aunt Marie—I'm starting to worry about her.
See also: hear, someone, word
hearing things
Having auditory hallucinations. Bob: "Listen, I'm sure that someone is right behind us!" Jack: "Bob, you're hearing things. There's nothing out here but us and the wind."
See also: hearing, thing
hearing-impaired
Deaf or partially deaf. Some deaf people advocate the avoidance of this term in favor of the more straightforwardly descriptive terms “deaf” and “hard of hearing.” Grandpa is hearing-impaired, so be prepared to speak loudly or repeat yourself a lot.
in hearing distance
Close enough to clearly hear what someone says or does. They didn't realize I was in hearing distance when they were discussing my performance in school. Let's step outside—I don't want to fight while they're in hearing distance.
See also: distance, hearing
within hearing distance
Close enough to clearly hear what someone says or does. They didn't realize I was within hearing distance when they were discussing my performance in school. Let's step outside—I don't want to fight while they're within hearing distance.
See also: distance, hearing, within
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
hard of hearing
[of someone] unable to hear well or partially deaf. Please speak loudly. I am hard of hearing. Tom is hard of hearing, but is not totally deaf.
See also: hard, hearing, of
hear someone out
1. Lit. to hear all of what someone has to say. (Fixed order.) Please hear me out. I have more to say. Hear out the witness. Don't jump to conclusions.
2. Fig. to hear someone's side of the story. (Fixed order.) Let him talk! Hear him out! Listen to his side! We have to hear everyone out in this matter.
See also: hear, out
hearing impaired
Euph. deaf or nearly deaf. This program is closed-captioned for our hearing-impaired viewers. His mother happens to be hearing impaired, so he learned to sign at an early age.
See also: hearing, impaired
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
hard of hearing
Somewhat deaf, having a partial loss of hearing. For example, You'll have to speak distinctly; Dad's a little hard of hearing. The use of hard in the sense of "difficulty in doing something" survives only in this expression. [Mid-1500s]
See also: hard, hearing, of
hear out
Listen to someone's discourse until the end, allow someone to speak fully, as in Please hear me out before you jump to any conclusions. [First half of 1600s]
See also: hear, out
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
a fair ˈhearing
the opportunity for somebody to give their point of view about something before deciding if they have done something wrong, often in a court of law: I’ll see that you get a fair hearing.See also: fair, hearing
hard of ˈhearing
unable to hear well: He’s become rather hard of hearing. The television programme has subtitles for the hard of hearing.See also: hard, hearing, of
in/within (somebody’s) ˈhearing
near enough to somebody so that they can hear what is said: She shouldn’t have said such things in your hearing.See also: hearing, within
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
hear out
v.
To listen to someone without interrupting: Hear me out, I have something important to say. I heard the mediator out, but I didn't agree.
See also: hear, out
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
hard of hearing
1. Having a partial loss of hearing.
2. People who have partial loss of hearing, considered as a group.
See also: hard, hearing, of
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- a fair hearing
- be above suspicion
- be above/beyond suspicion
- acquit
- acquit (one) of (something)
- acquit of
- be beyond suspicion
- have (one's) hand in the cookie jar
- with (one's) hand in the cookie jar
- with your hand in the cookie jar