Hello everyone!
Welcome to Idiom 100, where we learn 100 commonly used idioms by native English speakers.
All of the explanations are in English, so it might be challenging for you,
but just try to imagine the meanings in your head and study hard and soon you'll be able to use these idioms in your conversations.
Is everyone ready? Let's begin.
Hello everyone!
Today's idiom is: give an earful.
Give an earful.
Can you imagine the meaning of this idiom?
Let's imagine a picture to help you along.
Alright, so you have an ear and someone is speaking to you and their words are going into your ear.
Okay, they're giving words into your ear and your ear is getting fuller and fuller with their words.
So, they're giving an earful, okay?
So, let's listen to some examples.
Mom, you gave me an earful already, I understand.
Well, I just wanted to tell you over and over again to make sure you understand how serious I am about this.
Alright, so the child said she gave him an earful and she's telling him over and over and over again, again, again,
because she's very serious about something.
So, she's filling his ear with words, okay?
And the second example:
Where did Jane go? Does she know she's not allowed to go out until she finishes her homework?
She went to the movies with her friend.
Oh, she's going to get an earful from me when she gets back!
Alright, so the mom is angry that Jane went to the movies before she did her homework.
So, when Jane comes back, she's going to get an earful.
She's going to get in lots of trouble, okay?
So, 'to give an earful' usually means to complain or yell, give a long speech.
Usually it's from a mother or father or from a boss, someone who's not happy with you, okay?
So, they're going to keep talking and talking and talking and you're just sitting there, listening and taking the words
and you feel kind of bad, okay?
So, 'to give an earful' is to complain or punish with words, okay?
So, hopefully you're not getting an earful from someone else, but maybe you can use this in a conversation some time soon.
And I'll see you next time!