a flea in (one's) ear
a flea in (one's) ear
A sharp, strident, or disconcerting reproof or rebuff. She gave me a flea in my ear over my spending habits. I'll be sure to put a flea in his ear the next time I see him!
See also: ear, flea
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
flea in one's ear, a
An annoying hint or a stinging rebuke, as in He has a flea in his ear about their relationship, or If he doesn't bring the right equipment, I'll put a flea in his ear. This expression originated in French and has been used in English since the 1400s.
See also: flea
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
a flea in your ear
a sharp reproof.Formerly a flea in your ear also meant something that agitates or alarms you, as does the French phrase avoir la puce à l'oreille . Nowadays, it is often found in the phrases give someone a flea in the ear or send someone away with a flea in their ear .
See also: ear, flea
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
a flea in (one's) ear
An annoying hint or a stinging rebuke.
See also: ear, flea
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
flea in his ear
A sharp, unwelcome rebuke. To have a flea literally inserted in your ear would be an unwanted nuisance, just as being scolded, even if deserved, would be. The British use the phrase to mean “put a bug in the ear”: to plant a suspicion. The French “put a flea in the ear” to arouse amatory feelings, hardly an aphrodisiacal image (any more than a Spanish fly would be).
See also: ear, flea
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
- flea in his ear
- flea in one's ear, a
- a flea in ear
- a flea in your ear
- ear
- have (one's) ear
- have somebody's ear
- have someone's ear
- a box on the ear
- have the ear of someone