about one's ears

about one's ears или around one's ears  {adv. phr.}

Полностью сокрушительно, "провально"; губительно для чьих-л. планов, надежд или счастья.

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.

Ср.: ON ONE'S HEAD.