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Glite Dictionary
to turn a deaf ear

to turn a deaf ear

4 6.1
Refuse to listen to someone who gives advice or warnings
  • idiom
translation icon : hacer oídos sordos
  • The American press laughed at him and turned a deaf ear to his observations of America's immorality and materialism.

Examples

  • Public pressure was necessary as PRI officials turned a deaf ear to requests for change.

    Academic text (1999)

  • In each case, we turn a deaf ear to the fact that the images are speaking up.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Unfortunately, our society has turned a deaf ear and a blind eye to his voice.

    Blog text (19)

  • Apparently, you're turning a deaf ear to all these negative comments.

    Blog text (24)

  • I've been preaching this for the past few years, and have been surprised that companies have turned a deaf ear.

    Blog text (26)

  • Not only has President Bush increased the burden of unfunded mandates on the states, his tax cuts have had a negative impact on their ability to raise revenues, and he has turned a deaf ear to their cries for financial help.

    Academic text (2004)

  • Despite numerous protests, the council decided to turn a deaf ear to the residents' concerns about the new development.

  • Many students felt that the administration would turn a deaf ear to their requests for more mental health resources.

  • Although he voiced his opinion repeatedly, the committee continued to turn a deaf ear to his suggestions.

Synonyms

to ignore
vsto turn a deaf ear
∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

is a figurative expression stressing deliberate refusal to listen
to disregard
vsto turn a deaf ear
119 3.9

Ignore something or someone on purpose

is an idiomatic phrase emphasizing deliberate refusal to listen
to look the other way
vsto turn a deaf ear
69 4.7

To ignore something wrong on purpose instead of reporting it

focuses on avoiding action or responsibility rather than sheer refusal to listen
to turn a blind eye
vsto turn a deaf ear
41 5.4

Choose to ignore something wrong

is about refusing to listen generally rather than ignoring wrongdoing only
to tune out
vsto turn a deaf ear
  • Informal
19 4.4

To stop listening or paying attention to what is happening

describes deliberate refusal to listen rather than passive loss of interest
to turn away from
vsto turn a deaf ear
15 3.7

To refuse to have anything to do with someone or something

focuses specifically on refusing to listen rather than general rejection
to push aside
vsto turn a deaf ear
7 4.1

Refuse to think about something, for example worries or objections

involves active refusal to listen not only mentally dismissing ideas
to bury one's head in the sand
vsto turn a deaf ear
  • Informal
5 7.7

To ignore a problem instead of dealing with it

is about refusing to listen not about avoiding whole situations

Antonyms

to listen
∞ 1.0

Pay attention to sounds or speech to hear and understand them

heed
23 5.3

Careful attention to advice or warnings

How Receptive

to heed
92 5.0
to listen
∞ 1.0
to tune out
  • Informal
19 4.4
to turn a deaf ear
4 6.1

Surface Forms

turn a deaf ear infinitive
turned a deaf ear past
turned a deaf ear past participle
turning a deaf ear present participle
turns a deaf ear third person singular

Morphology

turn + a + deaf + ear

The meaning 'to deliberately ignore' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'turn' (redirect attention) with 'deaf' (unable or unwilling to hear) and 'ear' (listening); the imagery of 'turning one's ear away' clearly signals refusing to listen. This metaphorical pattern is common across many languages (e.g. Spanish 'hacer oídos sordos'), so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would very likely infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

The idiom turn a deaf ear may come from the simple picture of someone actually turning their head and covering an ear so they do not hear what is said. That image explains why it now means 'to ignore' or 'refuse to listen'.