all ears

USAGE SUMMARY

'all ears' is an expression that is used in spoken and written English.
It is an informal way of indicating that someone is listening attentively to someone else, and inviting them to continue talking. For example, "So I've decided to quit my job. I'm just not happy there anymore," "Oh really? What made you decide that? I'm all ears."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Hollywood's All Ears.

Forbes

Strauss is all ears.

University of Chicago

In Pictures: Hollywood's All Ears.

Forbes

I'm all ears.

The New York Times

"Now I'm all ears".

Independent

We're all ears.

The New York Times

Retailers were all ears.

Harvard Business Review

So I'm all ears.

The Guardian - Opinion

And I'm all ears.

The Guardian

Hypothetically speaking, I'm all ears.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

We are all-ears.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all ears" to create a friendly and approachable tone, signaling your genuine interest in what the other person has to say.

Common error

Avoid using "all ears" in formal or highly professional settings. Opt for more neutral phrases like "I'm listening carefully" or "I'm interested in hearing more" to maintain a professional demeanor.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic phrase "all ears" functions as an adjective phrase expressing a state of attentiveness and readiness to listen. Ludwig's examples show it being used to signal interest and invite further communication. It commonly replaces a simple affirmation that the speaker is listening.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

21%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

12%

Reference

5%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "all ears" serves as a concise and friendly declaration of attentiveness. According to Ludwig, it's used across diverse scenarios, including news, academia, and business, yet it leans toward informality. When writing, remember that you can use this expression to signal genuine interest, but keep its register in mind. Opt for something more formal when required. By avoiding overuse in business letters and choosing more appropriate language for formal/scientific publications, and embracing its friendly undertones in casual conversations, you can masterfully integrate "all ears" into your communication style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'm eager to hear

Conveys enthusiasm to listen, adding an element of anticipation not necessarily present in "all ears".

listening intently

Describes the act of listening closely, but is more literal than the idiom "all ears".

I'm listening closely

Emphasizes the degree of attention, but lacks the idiomatic feel of "all ears".

go ahead, I'm listening

Combines encouragement to speak with a statement of listening, creating a slightly different tone.

attentive

Refers to paying close attention, but lacks the idiomatic flavor of "all ears".

I'm ready to listen

A straightforward statement of readiness to listen, less expressive than "all ears".

I'm hanging on your every word

Expresses intense interest, suggesting a higher level of engagement than "all ears".

awaiting your explanation

Specifically indicates waiting for an explanation, whereas "all ears" is more general.

I'm giving you my full attention

Highlights the completeness of attention, more formal than "all ears".

do tell

An invitation to speak or provide information, conveys curiosity, more succinct and somewhat old-fashioned compared to "all ears".

FAQs

How can I use "all ears" in a sentence?

You can use "all ears" to express that you are ready and eager to listen to someone. For example, "Tell me about your day; I'm all ears."

What's a more formal way to say "all ears"?

In formal contexts, you can use phrases like "I'm listening attentively" or "I'm ready to hear what you have to say".

Is "all ears" appropriate in business communication?

While "all ears" can be used internally to foster a friendly environment, it is best to avoid it in external or very formal business communication. More appropriate alternatives include "I'm interested in hearing more" or "I'm available to discuss".

What does it mean to be "all ears"?

Being "all ears" means you are fully focused and ready to listen intently to someone. It implies that you are giving them your undivided attention and are interested in what they have to say.