flea in one’s ear, to have a
flea in one’s ear, to have a - To be upset or annoyed by a rebuke or a rejection. This term dates back at least to the fifteenth century in English and may be older yet in French. It appeared in John Heywood’s 1546 proverb collection and has continued to be used ever since.
Synonyms:
- Bee in your bonnet
- Chip on your shoulder
- Under one’s skin
Antonyms:
- Over the moon
- On cloud nine
- Walking on sunshine
Humor-Filled Quotes:
- “You know it’s serious when you get a flea in your ear—because who else listens that closely to insects?”
- “A flea in your ear is like earphones—some annoy, and others make you dance.”
Similar Terms and Expressions:
-
Got someone’s goat
- Annoy or aggravate someone.
-
Rubbed the wrong way
- To irritate or upset someone.
-
Stepping on someone’s toes
- Causing offense or taking liberties at someone else’s expense.
Proverbs:
- “Don’t annoy the wasps, if you’re scared of the sting.”
- French Proverb
Suggested Literature:
- “The Idiot” by Fyodor Dostoevsky: While Fyodor won’t talk about fleas, he’ll surely dive deep into the world of annoyance.
- “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger: Holden Caulfield can’t avoid having all kinds of fleabites of social annoyances.
Suggested Songs:
- “Don’t Lets Start” by They Might Be Giants – An anthem for all who’ve ever had a flea in their ear.
- “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon – Sometimes even music itself seems to have a flea biting.
Suggested Movies:
- “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986) – Ferris in all his shenanigans manages to put several authority figures a flea in several ears.
- “Mean Girls” (2004) – A high school flick filled with loads of fleas and uncomfortable prolixities.
### Which of these is a synonym for 'a flea in one's ear'?
- [ ] Sailing with spaghetti ropes
- [ ] Shouting in a vacuum
- [x] Got someone’s goat
- [ ] Baking a memory cake
> **Explanation:** "Got someone’s goat" is a genuine synonym, meaning to annoy or provoke someone. The others, while imaginative, will make more sense in another universe.
### Which phrase is an antonym?
- [x] Over the moon
- [ ] Lilies in a pond
- [ ] Candles in a hurricane
- [ ] Dancing under pillows
> **Explanation:** "Over the moon" means extremely happy, the opposite of having a flea in one’s ear.
### True or False: "A flea in one’s ear" originated in French.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True. The idiom probably originated in French before hopping its way into English idiomatic expressions.
As we bid adieu, remember: Whether it’s a buzzing bee or an irritating flea, let’s laugh off life’s minor vexations with grace and humor.
Stay witty, stay wise.
Yours always in idioms,
E. Z. Zinger
