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Difference between Pin back one’s ears and Pin back someone’s ears

admin Confusing Phrases

pin back one’s ears—

1. (UK sl.) listen attentively:

  • Pin back your ears, people, this is quite a story!

2. (Sport) give the game the necessary degree of effort:

  • Dafydd had a big game, even if he didn’t pin back his ears and finish one or two moves as he should have done.

pin back someone’s ears—(U.S. sl.) rebuke a person severely:

  • When a man pays you a heavy-handed compliment, do you smile graciously or pin back his ears with a sharp quip?