box someone's ears: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  British EnglishIrish EnglishCommonwealthinformalcolloquial
  • To strike someone on the side of the head or face with an open hand; to slap someone as a punishment or rebuke.
  • To give someone a sharp, physical reprimand.

  Examples

  Beta

  • During the heated argument, Mark boxed Tom's ears to get his attention and stop him from interrupting.

    Durante la acalorada discusión, Mark le dio una bofetada en la oreja a Tom para llamar su atención y evitar que interrumpiera.

  • When the child misbehaved, the teacher lightly boxed his ears as a warning.

    Cuando el niño se portó mal, la maestra le dio una bofetada ligera como advertencia.

  • She boxed her brother's ears playfully after he teased her for hours.

    Ella le dio una bofetada juguetona a su hermano después de que la molestara por horas.

  • The old man boxed the boy’s ears gently, reminding him not to wander too far.

    El anciano le dio una bofetada suave al niño recordándole que no se alejara demasiado.

• 2.

  British EnglishIrish Englishinformalfigurative
  • To rebuke, chastise, or defeat someone decisively in a non‑physical sense (e.g., verbally, socially, or competitively).

  Examples

  Beta

  • In the debate, Jenna really boxed her opponent's ears with sharp facts and quick rebuttals.

    En el debate, Jenna dejó fuera de combate a su oponente con datos contundentes y rápidas refutaciones.

  • He was boxed ears by his colleagues after missing the deadline for the third time.

    Fue reprendido severamente por sus colegas después de perder el plazo por tercera vez.

  • The champion boxer boxed his rival's ears in the ring, winning decisively in the first round.

    El boxeador campeón derrotó a su rival en el ring, ganando de manera decisiva en el primer asalto.