The full version of this idiom is ‘being all ears‘ and it is often used in conversation. Have you come across it before?
See if you can guess the meaning from the following dialogue…
Tim: Mike, I’ve got some good news to tell you.
Mike: Go on. I’m all ears.
Tim: I just heard that we’ll have a holiday tomorrow.
Mike: That’s great news!
In this situation, Mike is telling Tim that he’s ready to listen to what Tim is going to tell him. In other words, you can use it to express the idea that you have now started to pay attention to what the other person is going to say.
Photo Credit: Agastecheg
We’ll now look at some examples for using the ‘all ears’ idiom.
1. Children, I want you to be all ears to what I’m about to say, because it’s really important.
2. When it comes to money, Jerry is all ears.
Conversation example
Sandy: Toni, I’ve got some news about Mary.
Toni: About Mary? Tell me, I’m all ears.
Sandy: When Mary came running yesterday with a big grin on her face, I was all ears. You know, I could tell she was about to tell us something big. Then she surprised us all by saying that she’s getting married!
Toni: Wow! It’s fantastic news, but I still can’t believe it. Is she getting married soon?
Sandy: Yes. Next month in Hawaii!
Toni: Oh, I’m so happy for her.
Now it’s your turn to think of some examples for this idiom…good luck!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I want to improve my English skills
Hi Javed, it’s good that you want to improve your English. Surround yourself with as much English as possible by reading and listening in English. Practise speaking and writing in English whenever you can. These two things can really help you to improve your English. Good luck!
Hi, dear Greg and Ivy, it’s long time and we have not seen each other! Miss you very much! How are you now? We started our schooling a month ago and everything is the same as usual except that you’re gone! But for us,we really can’t forget the days we shared with you! Hope you will visit our country again! Hope everything goes well for you !
Hello Nancy, we miss you all. I’m sure we will see you sometime in the future. We hope to continue being in touch with you. Take care. Wish you all the best