send (one) away with a flea in (one's) ear

To turn one away forcefully or angrily. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. That's the third time they've asked for a donation this week. Send them away with a flea in their ear! My mother sent me away with a flea in my ear when I asked her if I could quit piano lessons.

If you send someone away with a flea in their ear, you tell them to go away and that you are angry with them. Minnie sent Sligo away with a flea in his ear and a warning not to return. Note: This expression can be used in many different structures. For example, you can say that someone gets or is given a flea in their ear or that someone leaves or comes away with a flea their ear. All that had happened, I suspected, was that Sylvia had got a flea in her ear. Note: A flea is a small jumping insect that lives on the bodies of humans or animals and feeds on their blood.