die Ohren auf Durchzug stellen
to deliberately not listen; to let it go in one ear and out the other
Origin
A jocular, more recent phrase (the variant 'auf Durchfahrt' is attested from around 1930): the ears are imagined as open flaps through which what is said passes like a draught - in one ear and out the other.
Building blocks
Words in this expression
Grammar that uses this word
- Consecutive connector 'sodass' vs. 'so … dass' (so that)Konsekutivkonnektor 'sodass' vs. 'so … dass'
- Two-way prepositions with accusative (Wohin? / where to)Wechselpräpositionen mit Akkusativ (Wohin?)
- Local preposition 'neben' (next to, Wohin?/where to? + accusative)Lokale Präposition 'neben' (Wohin? + Akkusativ)
- Local preposition 'unter' (under, Wohin?/where to? + accusative)Lokale Präposition 'unter' (Wohin? + Akkusativ)
- Light-verb construction 'zur Verfügung stellen' (to make available)Funktionsverbgefüge 'zur Verfügung stellen'
Examples
Bei den Ermahnungen seiner stellt er die Ohren auf Durchzug.
During his teacher's reprimands he just lets it go in one ear and out the other.