fall on deaf ears
Plea goes unheeded
To fall on deaf ears is for a message, warning, or appeal to be ignored or disregarded: Her pleas for mercy fell on deaf ears.
The phrase suggests the listener heard but chose not to respond, rather than literally being unable to hear.
My advice about saving money fell on deaf ears—he bought the sports car anyway.
- ineffectiveLacking power to achieve
- ignoreRefuse to notice
- unheededIgnored after being given
- inattentionLack of focus
- indifferenceLack of interest
cold shoulder · stone wall · willful ignorance · dismissal · disregard · apathy · fruitless · miscommunication · turn a blind eye · unresponsiveness · voice in the wilderness · alienation · marginalization · neglect · brush off · avoidance · frustration · pass over
fall on deaf earsget through
Complete despite difficulty
hit home · sink in · register · resonate · strike a chord
fall on deaf earsgain traction
fall on deaf earsmake an impact
carry weight · make a difference · bear fruit · win over · take hold
fall, falls, fallen, falling, fallout, downfall, deaf, deafen, deafened