What Does “In One Ear and Out the Other” Mean? (よく使う英語慣用語句) -N0.569-

What Does “In One Ear and Out the Other” Mean?（よく使う英語慣用表現）

Introduction

Have you ever told someone something, but they seemed to forget it immediately? In English, we often say it went “in one ear and out the other.”

1. What Does “In One Ear and Out the Other” Mean?

“In one ear and out the other” means that someone hears something but doesn’t pay attention or remember it. It suggests a lack of interest or focus.

2. When to Use It

Use this idiom when someone doesn’t listen carefully or quickly forgets what they were told.

Example:
A: I already explained the rules to him.
B: Yeah, but it probably went in one ear and out the other.

3. 日本語の同じような表現

日本語では、「何も聞いていない」「聞き流す」「右から左へ抜ける」といった表現が近いです。
話を聞いているようで、実際には理解していない・覚えていない時に使います。

Conclusion

When someone doesn’t remember or pay attention to what they hear, you can say it went “in one ear and out the other.” It’s a very common idiom used in everyday conversations.

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