to put a bug in someone's ear
- idiom
- Informal
:
sugerir
- I put a bug in my friend's ear about starting a book club this month.
Examples
-
I was talking with the mayor, and I put a bug in his ear about having the reception at the opera house.
-
During the meeting, I put a bug in her ear about potential changes to the project.
-
He put a bug in his colleague's ear about the upcoming promotion opportunities.
Synonyms
∞
1.6
To offer an idea or plan for others to consider
∞
3.0
To suggest a plan or idea for others to consider
24
4.1
To gently encourage someone to try something new
4
3.4
To suggest something in a quiet, indirect way
Antonyms
How Strong
- Specialized
2
7.4
- Informal
4
3.4
220
2.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
put + a + bug + in + someone's + ear
The phrase uses a physical-image metaphor (planting something small into an ear) that gives a partial cue to 'introducing an idea,' but the role of 'bug' as a metaphorical 'idea' is not a transparent extension of the literal word. A B1 learner who knows the constituents might guess that something is being quietly put into someone's attention, but they are unlikely to reliably derive the specific sense 'suggest or hint an idea to prompt future action' without prior exposure.
Etymology
Put a bug in someone's ear may come from the image of quietly putting a small bug by someone's ear, so the idea keeps bothering them like a soft, annoying sound. That's why it means 'to suggest an idea or hint'.