The idiom “ears” describes tiredness or weariness. It comes from the practice of marking a book’s pages, leaving it unkempt. People and houses can also be described as “dog-eared” when they appear tired or run down. Holding onto outdated ideas can also lead to failure in business.
“Ears” is a type of idiom that is sometimes used to describe a state of tiredness or wear. The colorful idiom derives from the practice of earing the pages of a book as a means of marking the reader’s place, a method which over time will leave the book feeling unkempt and ragged. In general, being annoyed means being somewhat exhausted by an activity, needing some time to rest and recover before being able to undertake new tasks or activities.
Sometimes people can be described as dog-eared, especially if they are currently in a state of burnout. For example, someone who has just completed an extremely labor-intensive task, such as moving from one house to another, is often exhausted from the effort. With clothing covered in dust and grime from movement, the individual will also often appear somewhat disheveled from the activity, exhibiting an appearance that may be a little shabby to the casual observer. After having had some time to bathe and rest, the individual will return to a groomed appearance and will have some degree of energy, effectively eliminating the dog eared appearance.
Houses may also sometimes be described as dog-eared. This is true when the exterior of the house needs painting, the lawns are growing wild and the windows look dirty. As long as the property looks a little shabby and run down, this particular idiom remains an appropriate way to describe the state of the home. Once the exterior has been painted, the windows washed and the landscaping brought under control, the property will no longer appear dog-eared, exhibiting a vibrancy and attractiveness that is very different from the previously drab and tired.
Even ideas can be taken for granted. This is often true in the business world, when owners attempt to continue using ideas and strategies that were once very effective but have over time been rendered obsolete by changes in consumer demand and the advent of new technologies. For example, a local business may continue to advertise on local radio even though the attention of consumers buying the goods offered by the business is more online shopping. By focusing on radio ads that no longer reach the right customer base, and by choosing not to build a website that allows consumers to place electronic orders, the company loses a few more customers each year. Continuing to hold on to those outworn ideas often means that a company’s future will be in jeopardy, ultimately causing the company to fail if those older, no longer viable ideas are not replaced with something more up to date.
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