all ears
idiom

- to listen with keen attention

Cambridge Dictionary

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TWO EARS, ONE MOUTH

The Greek philosopher Epictetus wisely said: 'We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.'

Whatever one believes about having two aural instruments, being all ears is a good way to tell someone that they have your full attention.

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14 EAR IDIOMS

- box someone’s ears = deliver a slap to the side of the head (He’s starting to annoy me. I would like to box his ears.)

- play by ear = without preparation (I don’t know what to do at the weekend, let’s play it by ear.)

- within earshot = within hearing distance (Jim is within earshot, let me just call him.)

- ear-splitting = deafening, incredibly loud (The loudspeaker made a sudden, ear-splitting noise.)

- ears burning = a feeling that one is being talked about by others (My ears were burning, have you been talking about me?)

- have an ear to the ground =  be aware of what is happening and what is likely to happen (Speak to Sally about that, she has her ears to the ground about such things.)

- have the ear of =  be in position to advise and influence someone (Jim is very influential, he has the ear of our CEO.)

- in one ear and out the other =  without being appreciated, remembered or listened to (Janet doesn’t listen to a word we say; it’s in one ear and out the other.)

- prick up one’s ears = listen with sudden attention to something unexpected (He pricked up his ears the moment I mentioned commission rates.)

- turn a deaf ear = refuse to listen (Lizzie has been turning a deaf ear to his promotion requests for over a year.)

- up to one’s ears =  extremely busy, overwhelmed with work (Sorry I can’t help you at the moment, I’m up to my ears.)

- wet behind the ears = inexperienced (Becky will need basic training, she’s still wet behind the ears.)

- a word in your ear = talk in confidence, in private (Can I have a quick word in your ear? It’s important.)

- music to one’s ears = information that makes someone feel very happy (His compliments were music to her ear.)

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SYNONYMS

attentive, hanging on every word, heedful, interested, listening carefully, mindful, alert, concentrating, focused, vigilant, rapt, on the lookout, paying attention, on one’s toes, on the ball, wide-awake, not missing a trick

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PRACTICE OWAD in an English conversation, say something like:

“If you’re ready to talk, I’M ALL EARS.”

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Paul Smith