Overhear meaning in English
Learn how to use Overhear correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
to overhear: to hear, listen without the speaker's knowledge
I overheard Susie talking to her new boyfriend but when she realized I was listening, she hung up the phone.
Pronunciation examples
UK: I overheard Susie talking about her new boyfriend.
US: Don't talk so loudly, she might overhear you.
Examples
- "Mayor : Relax Miss Bliss, I just want to talk without being overheard."
Exercise 1
Mayor Flimshaw invites Susie to his office so that they can speak "without being overheard." What does this mean?
Mayor Flimshaw invites Susie to his office so that they can speak "without being overheard." What does this mean?
This is the best choice. The mayor is concerned that other people at the party will hear the secret negotiations between himself and Susie.
It's true that the mayor wants to move to his office, but it is not because he wants more silence.
This choice is inappropriate. Simply inappropriate.
This choice is incorrect. The mayor is not having difficulty hearing.
Exercise 2
At the end of the dialogue, Sam tells Bruno and Icarus "I'm all ears".
What does he mean by this?
What does he mean by this?
At the end of the dialogue, Sam tells Bruno and Icarus "I'm all ears".
What does he mean by this?
What does he mean by this?
Sam is not reassuring Bruno and Icarus of his "trustworthiness", rather he is announcing that he is listening to them.
Sam is not encouraging Bruno and Icarus to be careful because of people listening to their conversation, rather he is announcing to them that he is listening.
Sam only has two ears. However his wife reports that Sam does in fact have a floating third nipple. Amazing!
Sam's expression is not one of agreement. He is expressing that he is listening to Bruno and Icarus, not that he agrees with what they are saying.
This is correct. The idiom "I'm all ears" is a common English expression (both American and British) which indicates that the speaker is listening attentively.
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