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bend one's ear

British pronunciation/bˈɛnd wˈɒnz ˈiə/
American pronunciation/bˈɛnd wˈʌnz ˈɪɹ/
to bend one's ear
[PHRASE]
1

to speak to someone who is unwilling to listen for an extended period of time

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to [bend] {one's} ear definition and meaning

What is the origin of the idiom "bend one's ear" and when to use it?

The origin of the phrase "bend one's ear" is not definitively known, but it likely stems from the physical act of bending or leaning towards someone's ear to speak directly to them. The phrase has been in use since at least the early 19th century and has become a common expression in English to describe the act of talking to someone at length, often persistently or in a manner that demands their attention. The imagery of physically bending or leaning towards someone's ear emphasizes the intensity or insistence of the conversation, conveying the idea of being actively engaged in a discussion or being subjected to a lengthy monologue.

Examples
1Excuse me, do you mind if I bend your ear for a second?
2Yeah, I bent his ear one night in a bar.
3But of course, if our people want to bend their ear at the end of the night, that's OK.
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