about one's ears

by A. Makkai, M.T. Boatner, J.E. Gates

[about one's ears] or [around one's ears] {adv. phr.}

To or into complete collapse, defeat, or ruin; to the destruction of a person's plans, hopes, or happiness.

* /They planned to have factories all over the world but the war brought their plans down about their ears./

* /John hoped to go to college and become a great scientist some day, but when his father died he had to get a job, and John's dreams came crashing around his ears./

Compare: ON ONE'S HEAD.

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	{adv. phr.} ⁵⁸³

Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

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	See also »
	ear [ear] See: ABOUT ONE'S EARS or AROUND ONE'S EARS, BELIEVE ONE'S EARS, DRY BEHIND THE ... A Dictionary of American Idioms dry behind the ears [dry behind the ears] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Experienced; knowing how to do something. Usually used ... A Dictionary of American Idioms believe one's ears [believe one's ears] {v. phr.} 1. To believe what one hears; trust one's hearing. - ... A Dictionary of American Idioms pin one's ears back [pin one's ears back] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To beat; defeat. * /After winning three ... A Dictionary of American Idioms up to one's ears [up to one's ears] {adv. phr.} Immersed in; covered with. * /"Around final examination time," ... A Dictionary of American Idioms have one's ears on [have one's ears on] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} To have one's CB ... A Dictionary of American Idioms prick up one's ears [prick up one's ears] {v. phr.}, {informal} To come to interested attention; begin to listen ... A Dictionary of American Idioms

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