Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
someones-ears-are-burning
idiom
/ˈsʌm.wʌnz ˈɪrz ɑr ˈbɜr.nɪŋ/
Definition
A phrase that indicates someone is being talked about, often in a way that suggests it could be either good or bad.
Examples
- “I just knew my ears were burning when they started laughing; they must be talking about me!”
- “Whenever I hear my name mentioned, my ears start to burn!”
- “She looked surprised; I wonder if her ears were burning when we were discussing her talents.”
Meaning
When we say that someone’s ears are burning, we mean that the person might feel uncomfortable or have a strange sensation because they are the subject of a conversation, even if they are not present.
Synonyms
- being talked about
- being mentioned
- gossip
