a flea in your 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.

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
See also:
  • flea in his ear
  • flea in one's ear, a
  • a flea in (one's) ear
  • a flea in ear
  • ear
  • have (one's) ear
  • have somebody's ear
  • have someone's ear
  • a box on the ear
  • have the ear of (one)
References in periodicals archive
If not a flea in your ear, the least you'll get away with is a bit of nasal canine odour.