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to talk one's ear off
01
to talk to someone for an extended period of time, particularly in a way that annoys them
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Disapproving
Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "talk one's ear off" and when to use it?
The phrase "talk one's ear off" likely emerged in the early 1900s from the irritation and frustration felt by listeners who are unable to get a word in due to someone speaking constantly. The idiom is used informally and often in a critical manner to describe an inconsiderate or self-absorbed speaker who fails to recognize how their relentless talking affects the listener.
Example
If my grandpa gets going on his old war stories, he'll talk my ear off for at least an hour at Thanksgiving dinner.
My neighbor talked my ear off for 20 minutes yesterday about his plants and garden.
My mom talks my ear off every time I visit, telling stories from my childhood for hours.
I've been on the phone with my aunt for an hour and she hasn't stopped talking, she's talked my ear off!
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