Stick it in Your Ear Meaning
Definition: Shut up.
This expression can act as a way to get the other person to stop talking, a way to discredit what he or she is saying, or a way to show you have a low opinion of what he or she is saying.
Origin of Stick it in Your Ear
This exact origin of this expression is unknown. However, some sources speculate that it is a euphemism for the more vulgar expression shove it up your ass.
This expression is not particularly common in modern conversational English, and it is even more rare in written English. However, there was a movie made in the year 1970 that had the title, Stick it in your Ear. This suggests that the expression may have been popular around that time.
Finally, it is a very rude thing to say, and therefore English speakers generally avoid using it. The only appropriate time to use it is if you intend to offend someone.
Examples of Stick it in Your Ear
This example shows two college students using the idiom while discussing their upcoming test.
Frank: Hey, Karl! Our math test is tomorrow. Have you studied for it yet?
Karl: No, not yet. I’ll do it later.
Frank: Are you sure that’s a good idea? This test is supposed to be really hard, and it’s worth a big part of our final grade. Someone like you, meaning someone who is bad at math, should definitely have already started studying.
Karl: Stick it in your ear! I’ll do whatever I want. Leave me alone.
In this example, two friends are at the grocery store deciding what to buy to cook dinner.
Lily: Look at all this good stuff that I found! We can use this fancy cheese to make an appetizer, and we can use this sugar and cream to make a delicious dessert.
Grace: Are you sure you want to be eating all those fatty foods? You’ve gained some weight recently. Maybe you should stick to just eating vegetables.
Lily: Stick it in your ear! I didn’t ask you for your opinion on my weight!
More Examples
The excerpt below is about a senior citizen living in Nebraska. He spends his spare time fighting online scam artists who are trying to trick older people into giving away their hard earned money.
- “Once we get your check we’ll send a check to you,” the scammer told Pat. “Go stick it in your ear, would you,” Pat replied. –WOWT
This excerpt is about a post-game interview between a team manager and a radio reporter.
- On Tuesday in Arizona the Mets manager was asked by a radio reporter if he knew, prior to the game, the severity of the blister on pitcher Jenrry Mejia’s middle finger. Mejia had to exit in the fifth. Collins, kiddingly, suggested the reporter take the microphone “and stick it in your … ear.” –New York Daily News
Summary
The phrase stick it in your ear is an uncommon expression that may have been popular around the 1970s. It is a euphemistic way to say screw you.
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