pin your ears back

pin back (one's) ears

1. To harshly reprimand one. Also seen as "pin (one's) ears back." The principal pinned back Jeff's ears for what he did in the cafeteria. My parents are going to pin my ears back if I'm not home by curfew.
2. To definitively defeat one. Also seen as "pin (one's) ears back." I knew the other team was better, but I didn't think they would pin back our ears so dominantly. Dude, Kristina is a star tennis player—she's going to pin your ears back out there.
3. To beat or strike one, especially targeting the head. Also seen as "pin (one's) ears back." Talk to me like that again and I'll pin back your ears, boy! Don't cross Rufus or he'll pin your ears back. I've seen him do it.
4. To listen carefully. Typically used as an imperative. Also seen as "pin (one's) ears back." Primarily heard in UK. Pin back your ears while the teacher is talking so you don't miss the assignment. My boss told me to pin my ears back during the meeting, but I was already listening closely.
See also: back, ear, pin
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

pin your ears back

listen carefully.
See also: back, ear, pin
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • come back and see us
  • be/go back to square one
  • back
  • back at (something or some place)
  • back to square one
  • a while back
  • beat back
  • back door
  • be back on the rails
  • burn one's bridges/boats, to
References in periodicals archive
So you can't really pin your ears back and just go.
Oregon looks to follow OSU's lead past USC
If you are planning to pin your ears back and have a monster bet on Alexandrova, how much does it worry you that she was turned over on her last visit to York?
Horse Racing: Kinane will be ice-cold on Alex - but will that be enough? 3.25 YORKSHIRE OAKS
Top speed is just over the ton and acceleration from rest to 62 mph comes up in around 15 seconds, so it won't pin your ears back.
DRIVETIME: MOTORING: IT'S JUST 2 CUTE!; ROAD TEST: MAZDA 2
It's tunes time again and I've had a monster pile of them recently, so pin your ears back as what I'm about to tell you is important.
HUGGY'S GUEST LIST
Its performance won't pin your ears back, but with 110bhp and a top speed of 114mph, there is enough poke to make overtaking safe and long motorway trips enjoyable.
DRIVETIME: MOTORING: Reliability and comfort needn't cost a fortune; LONG-TERM TEST; HONDA CIVIC 5-DOOR SE
Pin your ears back now as out next week is Roger Sanchez's You Can't Change Me on Defected records, which is the follow-up to his massive Another Chance.
Huggy's guest list