go in one ear and out the other
Not retained mentally
To go in one ear and out the other is to be heard but not retained or heeded.
The phrase describes information that fails to register: I've told him a hundred times, but it goes in one ear and out the other.
It often implies frustration with someone's inattention or unwillingness to listen.
- forgetfulFailing to retain information
- fall on deaf earsBe ignored despite being spoken
- selective hearingUnconsciously filtering unwanted input
- not listeningFailing to attend
- ignoredPurposely not noticed
disregarded · unheeded · paying no mind · inattention · tuning out · absent-mindedness · lost in thought · neglected · shrugging off · dismissed · water off a duck's back · unnoticed · overlooked · blank stare · glazed over · short-term memory · short attention span · disinterest
go in one ear and out the othersink in
Become fully understood
stick · take to heart · commit to memory · retain · absorb
go in one ear and out the otherhang on every word
Listen with complete attention
drink in · be all ears · heed · attend to · prick up one's ears
go in one ear and out the otherhit home
Affected someone personally
strike a chord · make an impression · leave a mark · resonate · get through to