fallen on deaf ears
Met with indifference
When something has fallen on deaf ears, it has been ignored or disregarded despite being clearly communicated.
The phrase suggests the listener heard but chose not to respond or act: Her warnings about the project's risks fell on deaf ears.
The deafness is willful rather than physical—a refusal to heed rather than an inability to hear.
- turn a blind eyeDeliberately ignore something obvious
- brush asideReject without serious thought
- neglectFailure to provide care
- indifferenceLack of interest
- selective hearingUnconsciously filtering unwanted input
miscommunication · misunderstanding · dismissal · apathy · go in one ear and out the other · ignorance · stubbornness · inattentiveness · blank stare · avoidance · unheeded · distraction · water off a duck's back · rejection · cry in the wilderness · hit a wall · interference · pass unnoticed
fallen on deaf earsresonated
Produced lingering vibrations
sunk in · hit home · registered · made an impression · landed
fallen on deaf earsmade a difference
Had meaningful effect
borne fruit · galvanized · persuaded · convinced · swayed
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