deaf ears
Refusal to listen
Deaf ears appears almost exclusively in the phrase fall on deaf ears, meaning to be ignored or disregarded despite being heard.
A warning, plea, or suggestion that falls on deaf ears receives no response or action: Her concerns about safety fell on deaf ears.
The phrase emphasizes willful inattention rather than inability to hear.
- falling onDescending to contact
- unheardNot perceived aurally
- ignoredPurposely not noticed
- turn a blind eyeDeliberately ignore something obvious
- dismissiveShowing contemptuous disregard
inattentive · oblivious · willful ignorance · silence · pleas · cries for help · warnings · tuned out · stone wall · blank stare · talk to the hand · brush off · cold shoulder · indifferent · unhearing · willful · stubborn · unmoved
- futile argumentscircular argument, beating dead horse, going in circles, dead end, lost cause
- stubbornnessstubbornness, obstinacy, pigheadedness, bullheadedness, mulishness
- tenacitydetermined, persistence, persistent, perseverance, determination
deaf earsopen ears
rapt attention · open minds · listening ear · fertile ground · keen interest
deaf earsopen mind
Absence of prejudgment
open minds · open heart · consideration · responsiveness · engagement
deaf, ear, deafen, deafened, deafening, deafness, ears, eared, earless