fell on deaf ears

Discuss how general English vocabulary words are used to communicate ideas.

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fell on deaf ears

Postby Cecilia on Wed Apr 13, 2005 7:59 am

not listening, even if listened, never do that after listening about that. "Just" listen. kind of ignorance.


<examples>

1) I hope that our opinion will not fall on deaf ears.
2) If you fall on deaf ears what I say, I'll not say to you ever.
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Re: fell on deaf ears

Postby DavidB on Mon Apr 18, 2005 4:52 pm

Cecilia wrote:
not listening, even if listened, never do that after listening about that. "Just" listen. kind of ignorance.


<examples>

1) I hope that our opinion will not fall on deaf ears.
2) If you fall on deaf ears what I say, I'll not say to you ever.


You could also say that "falling on deaf ears" means not paying attention. People can pretend to listen to you, even though they're thinking about something else. Or they can nod their heads yes and pretend to agree with you, when they actually disagree.

Thus, your words are falling on "deaf ears" - ears that refuse to hear what you have to say.
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Postby Cecilia on Wed May 11, 2005 6:04 am

fell on deaf ears

< example sentences >
1. If the class is not interesting, students easily fall on deaf ears.
2. He frequently asks me topic again becuase he usually falls on deaf ears in the class.
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Postby DavidB on Wed May 11, 2005 6:22 am

Nice try, but these are confusing.

Cecilia wrote:fell on deaf ears

< example sentences >
1. If the class is not interesting, students easily fall on deaf ears.


I think you meant to say this:

If the class is not interesting, the teacher's words will fall on deaf ears.


In other words, if the class is boring, the students won't pay attention to the teacher.

2. He frequently asks me topic again becuase he usually falls on deaf ears in the class.


I'm not sure what you mean hear, but let me guess...

A classmate who never pays attention often asks me what topic we're discussing.


Or, if YOU are the one who isn't paying attention...

The teacher often asks me what topic we're discussing, because he knows I'm not paying attention.
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Postby Cecilia on Wed May 11, 2005 6:33 am

Thank you for correcting my poor senteces!
about second sentence, the former one in you guesses is what I meant^^
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Postby DavidB on Wed May 11, 2005 7:10 am

Cecilia wrote:Thank you for correcting my poor senteces!
about second sentence, the former one in you guesses is what I meant^^


I might be wrong, but I don't think people usually use the term "fell on deaf ears" in relation to students in a classroom. I think it's usually used when discussing prominent people who's advice or warnings are ignored. Here are some examples I made up:

1) The scientists' warnings about global warming fell on deaf ears.

2) The senators' suggestion that the nation conserve energy fell on deaf ears.

If you go to www.google.com and type in "fell on deaf ears," you'll find many examples.
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fell on deaf ears

Postby fragrant17 on Wed May 11, 2005 3:14 pm

<examples>

1. I shouted loudly to her, but it fell on deaf ears.
→ This sentence means I screamed to her, she didn't notice it.

2. Although I asked help to him, it fell on deaf ears.
→ This sentence means that my repuest fell on deaf ears.
Last edited by fragrant17 on Wed May 18, 2005 1:29 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: fell on deaf ears

Postby DavidB on Wed May 11, 2005 4:19 pm

fragrant17 wrote:<examples>
1. I shouted loudly to her but it fell on deaf ears.


I think the term "fell on deaf ears" usually refers to people who can hear you but don't want to pay attention. So if a person really can't hear you, say this:

"I shouted loudly, but she couldn't hear me."

If she can hear you, but she isn't paying attention, say this:

"I gave her advice, but it fell on deaf ears."

2. Although I asked some help to him, he fell on deaf ears.


You wouldn't say HE fell on deaf ears. Words do the falling...

1) MY WORDS fell on deaf ears.

2) He spoke some truthful words, but THEY fell on deaf ears.
(Here THEY means the truthful words.)
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