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Glite Dictionary
cheers, big ears

cheers, big ears

9.9
A playful, teasing way to say goodbye to a friend
  • idiom
  • UK
: ¡saludos, orejas grandes!
  • Whenever we say goodbye after a silly argument, it's always 'cheers, big ears!' between us.

Examples

  • As he left the café, Tom called out, 'cheers, big ears!' to his mate across the street.

  • She waved from the car window and shouted, 'cheers, big ears!' before driving off.

  • Thanks for the help! Cheers, big ears!

  • I'll see you later, cheers, big ears!

  • Cheers, big ears! I'm off now, see you tomorrow!

  • As she turned to leave, she laughed and said, 'cheers, big ears!' to her friend.

  • After wrapping up our fun evening, I smiled and called out, 'cheers, big ears!' as I left.

Synonyms

see ya
vscheers, big ears
  • Texting
∞ 8.4

A friendly way to say goodbye when you expect to meet again

is more teasing and playful rather than merely casual and friendly
goodbye
vscheers, big ears
∞ 1.0

Words people say when they leave each other

is more teasing and joking rather than offering sincere good wishes
bye-bye
vscheers, big ears
  • Informal
279 1.1

A friendly informal way to say goodbye when leaving

is more teasing and joking rather than simply childish or gentle
farewell
vscheers, big ears
199 1.9

A speech or action that says goodbye and wishes someone well

is more teasing and playful rather than solemn or formally meaningful
cheerio
vscheers, big ears
  • UK
17 8.9

A friendly way to say goodbye

is more teasing and playful rather than just warm or polite
nice knowing you
vscheers, big ears
4 8.0

A polite goodbye said when you do not expect to see someone again

is more teasing and playful rather than a polite final parting
toodle
vscheers, big ears
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A playful word people use to say goodbye

is more teasing and joking rather than simply casual among friends
deuces
vscheers, big ears
  • Slang
1 9.9

A casual way to say goodbye, often with a peace sign

is more teasing and mildly mocking rather than a simple gesture
cheers
vscheers, big ears
  • UK
6.7

A friendly informal word used to thank someone, say goodbye, and to make a toast before drinking

is more teasing and playfully mocking rather than mainly a thank or toast
pip pip
vscheers, big ears
  • Archaic
9.9

A friendly old-fashioned British way to say goodbye

is more teasing and playful rather than simply quaint or old-fashioned

Antonyms

to welcome
583 1.0

Greet someone in a friendly way when they arrive

to hello
1 1.0

Say a short greeting when you meet someone or answer the phone

Surface Forms

cheers, big ears main

Morphology

cheers, + big + ear

The component 'cheers' clearly signals thanks/goodbye and the words 'big' + 'ears' are literal and understandable, so a learner could guess the surface meaning. However, the phrase functions pragmatically as a playful or teasing farewell (using a mock nickname), which is a pragmatic/idiomatic use not fully predictable from composition alone. Because comprehension depends on social/pragmatic knowledge rather than pure word meaning, it is best classified as semi-transparent.

Etymology

Cheers, big ears may come from a playful children's taunt that mixes the polite cheers with a silly picture of someone having big ears. Saying this as you leave made it a friendly, teasing way to say 'goodbye'.