bend someone's ear — meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  American EnglishBritish EnglishAustralian Englishinformal
  • To talk to someone at length, especially in a way that occupies their attention or time.

  Examples

  Beta

  • You really bent my ear last night about your plans for the future; I’m glad you shared so much.

    You really bent my ear last night about your plans for the future; I’m glad you shared so much.

  • I’m sorry to bend your ear again, but I need advice on this tricky situation at work.

    I’m sorry to bend your ear again, but I need advice on this tricky situation at work.

  • Whenever we meet, he tends to bend my ear for hours about his adventures abroad.

    Whenever we meet, he tends to bend my ear for hours about his adventures abroad.

• 2.

  American EnglishBritish Englishinformal
  • To pester or nag someone by repeatedly talking to them.

  Examples

  Beta

  • I wish she’d stop bending my ear about the same complaint every day; it’s getting tiresome.

    I wish she’d stop bending my ear about the same complaint every day; it’s getting tiresome.

  • Don’t bend my ear too much, I have a lot of work to finish before the deadline.

    Don’t bend my ear too much, I have a lot of work to finish before the deadline.

  • He bent her ear endlessly about his new project until she finally agreed to help.

    He bent her ear endlessly about his new project until she finally agreed to help.

• 3.

  American EnglishBritish EnglishAustralian Englishinformal
  • To engage someone in prolonged conversation, often about a single topic.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The professor bent his ear for nearly an hour, discussing the nuances of the theory in depth.

    The professor bent his ear for nearly an hour, discussing the nuances of the theory in depth.

  • She bent my ear about her new business idea until I was completely convinced it could work.

    She bent my ear about her new business idea until I was completely convinced it could work.

  • I didn’t mind bending his ear about the upcoming conference; he was genuinely interested.

    I didn’t mind bending his ear about the upcoming conference; he was genuinely interested.