Phrase guide

ear to the ground

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The practice or characteristic of carefully gathering information; a state or mindset of attentiveness.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Pursuing the practice or having the characteristic of carefully gathering information; well-informed.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: attributive

Qualifier: usually hyphenated

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: наострям уши (naostrjam uši) — the practice of carefully gathering information
  • French: rester à l'écoute — the practice of carefully gathering information
  • French: être à l'écoute — the practice of carefully gathering information
  • Polish: bycie czujnym — the practice of carefully gathering information
  • Russian: преврати́ться в слух (prevratítʹsja v slux) — the practice of carefully gathering information
  • Scottish Gaelic: cluas ri claisneachd — the practice of carefully gathering information
  • Spanish: seguir informado de que sucede — the practice of carefully gathering information
  • Spanish: estar bien informado — the practice of carefully gathering information
  • Spanish: procurar estar informado — the practice of carefully gathering information