159．耳中有个跳蚤

［词语］a flea in one's ear

［含义］尖刻的话；刺耳的警告；断然拒绝

［趣释］【物象喻指】跳蚤（flea）是对人体健康有害的小虫。如果身上有一只令人讨厌的跳蚤，那会浑身感到不自在，要是跳蚤钻进耳朵，后果更是不堪设想。据说狗的耳朵上若有一只跳蚤，就会坐立不安，只好惶恐苦恼地跑开。1597年，有一篇文章中写道：“有个人听到一条坏消息，于是他边走边摇头，好像耳中有个跳蚤。”后来，人们就用“耳中有个跳蚤”（a flea in one's ear）来喻指尖刻的话、刺耳的警告、断然拒绝。这个短语常与with连用，一般与have、get、send away、sand off等动词或词组搭配。

［运用］Tom came to borrow some money, but I sent him away with a flea in his ear． 汤姆来借钱，我让他碰了一鼻子灰回去。

That spotty teenager had the cheek to ask me for a dance, so I sent him off with a flea in his ear． 那个粉刺很多的少年竟厚脸请我跳舞，我用尖刻的话把他气走了。

Don't blame me if you come back with a flea in your ear． 你若是碰了钉子回来可别怪我。

I'll put a flea in his ear if he bothers me once more． 如果他再来打扰的话，我就要对他不客气了。