put a bug in someone's ear: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  USUKglobalinformalneutral
  • To give someone a suggestion or idea, often indirectly or in a way intended to make them consider it later.
  • To mention something to someone privately in order to interest them in or prompt them to act on the idea.

  Examples

  Beta

  • I’ll put a bug in your ear about that job opening next week when we meet for coffee.

    Te sugeriré discretamente sobre esa oferta de trabajo la próxima semana cuando nos veamos para tomar café.

  • She put a bug in his ear about applying for the scholarship before the deadline.

    Ella le insinuó que debía solicitar la beca antes de la fecha límite.

  • If I put a bug in your ear now, would you consider joining the new project team?

    Si te doy una sugerencia ahora, ¿considerarías unirte al nuevo equipo de proyecto?

• 2.

  USUKglobalinformalcolloquial
  • To inform or warn someone discreetly, usually conveying a concern or hint that may cause them to be more cautious or curious.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The detective put a bug in the witness’s ear to be cautious about potential threats.

    El detective advirtió discretamente al testigo que tuviera cuidado con posibles amenazas.

  • I’m just putting a bug in your ear that the client might be unhappy with the current progress.

    Solo te estoy dando una pista de que el cliente podría estar descontento con el progreso actual.

  • She put a bug in his ear about the upcoming inspection so he could prepare accordingly.

    Ella le informó discretamente sobre la próxima inspección para que pudiera prepararse.