Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

send someone away with a flea in their ear

idiom

/sɛnd sʌmˈwʌn əˈweɪ wɪð ə fliː ɪn ðɛr ɪr/

Definition

To dismiss or reject someone in a brusque or dismissive manner, often leaving them with a sense of annoyance or discontent.

Examples

After her request for a raise was denied, she felt like she had been sent away with a flea in her ear.
The manager sent the complaining customer away with a flea in their ear, without addressing their concerns.
He approached the board with enthusiasm, but they sent him away with a flea in his ear.

Meaning

This idiom conveys the idea of sending someone away without giving them what they hoped for, and instead, leaving them with a feeling of irritation or dissatisfaction.