▪ I. ear-bending, n. colloq. (orig. U.S.).
Brit. /ˈɪəbɛndɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈɪrˌbɛndɪŋ/
[‹ ear n.1 + bending n.1, probably after to bend a person's ear at bend v. Additions Compare earlier ear-bender n. and slightly later ear-bending adj.]
A lengthy, boring, or ill-tempered diatribe (usually to one person); the action of delivering such a talk.
| 1942 N.Y. Times 27 Mar. 17/1 Colonel Bill Terry sat with President Larry MacPhail..and took a terrific ear-bending. 1968 Times 20 May 21/2 As Sir Joseph Hunt and his colleagues work their way across the north on the first phase of a fact-finding tour, they are being subjected to some determined ‘ear-bending’ en route. 2000 T. Carew Jihad! (2001) ix. 250 She started off giving me an ear-bending for not calling her, but she wasn't being serious. |
▪ II. ear-bending, a. colloq. (orig. U.S.).
Brit. /ˈɪəbɛndɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈɪrˌbɛndɪŋ/
[‹ ear n.1 + bending adj., probably after to bend a person's ear at bend v. Additions Compare earlier ear-bender n. and slightly earlier ear-bending n.]
1. Given to speaking at length, esp. in a boring or ill-tempered manner; expressed vociferously or at length.
| 1946 N.Y. Times 4 May 19/4 Young Jimmy..is an ear-bending conversationalist in comparison to his father, Silent Tom Smith. 1960 B. Keaton My Wonderful World of Slapstick i. 15, I have seen stage mothers who were furious, hysterical, given to..ear-bending tantrums. 1988 Pract. Motorist Apr. 14/2 Ear-bending disapproval from 'er indoors. 1998 Dallas Morning News (Electronic ed.) 16 Oct. His 15-year stint of impeccable service and ear-bending anecdotes. |
2. Of sound, esp. music: extremely loud; grating, dissonant.
| 1980 N.Y. Times 14 Nov. c4/5 He was sorry, he said through the ear-bending noise and smoke and crowds in the Vanguard, that his father..couldn't be at the party. 1984 Times 10 Aug. 7/1 To judge from the ear-bending, thought-provoking sounds we heard, there is a real chance of revelatory success. 1995 M. Lewis Singapore: Rough Guide 141/2 Big-boy portions of ribs, burgers and steaks served to the ear-bending accompaniment of Guns 'n' Roses and Deep Purple. |