die Ohren auf Durchzug stellen
to deliberately not listen; to let it go in one ear and out the other
Origin
A jocular, more recent phrase (the variant 'auf Durchfahrt' is attested from around 1930): the ears are imagined as open flaps through which what is said passes like a draught - in one ear and out the other.
Building blocks
Words in this expression
Grammar that uses this word
- Consecutive connector 'sodass' vs. 'so … dass' (so that)Konsekutivkonnektor 'sodass' vs. 'so … dass'
- Preposition 'um' (around/at, accusative)Präposition 'um' (Akkusativ)
- Two-way prepositions with accusative (Wohin? / where to)Wechselpräpositionen mit Akkusativ (Wohin?)
- Local preposition 'neben' (next to, Wohin?/where to? + accusative)Lokale Präposition 'neben' (Wohin? + Akkusativ)
- Local preposition 'unter' (under, Wohin?/where to? + accusative)Lokale Präposition 'unter' (Wohin? + Akkusativ)
Examples
Bei den Ermahnungen seiner stellt er die Ohren auf Durchzug.
During his teacher's reprimands he just lets it go in one ear and out the other.