turn a deaf ear

Idioms and Phrases

Refuse to listen, as in You can plead all day but he's turning a deaf ear to everyone . This expression dates from the first half of the 1400s and was in most proverb collections from 1546 on. Also see fall on deaf ears .

Example Sentences

"There's only so many times you can turn a deaf ear to being called murdering scum," smiles former fox hunt master, Byron John.

From BBC

The Arab group of nations says the Security Council cannot turn a deaf ear to the pleas of the international community demanding a ceasefire.

From BBC

They turn a deaf ear when the Russian leader dismisses Ukraine as a fake nation without a real identity.

From Salon

“The willingness of the national media to just turn away and turn a deaf ear …. to the disclosures that when Vice President Biden left office he left with classified documents as well, it just shows you,” Mr. Pence said.

From Washington Times

That's why, when Hamza beats up his wife on the smallest of pretexts, the neighbours in their congested tenement housing society turn a deaf ear to her cries.

From BBC

Related Words

• disobey
• forget
• neglect
• omit
• overlook