THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Keep your ear to the ground
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
To pay close attention to what is happening and what people are saying.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- Keep your ear to the ground for any evening classes opening nearby.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
0 of 1 checked correctly
Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
________ for any evening classes opening nearby.
Show the answer
Keep your ear to the ground — To pay close attention to what is happening and what people are saying.
Try your own sentence (optional)
Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Keep your ear to the ground” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
To pay close attention to what is happening and what people are saying.
Compare: Keep your ear to the ground for any evening classes opening nearby.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.
This quiz is for practice. To save lesson completion on this device, complete the checks in the app.
GO DEEPER
More ways to understand and use it
Jump to a section
When to use it
Use it when staying informed about developments or opportunities through careful attention. It suits conversational workplace language.
More examples in context
- She keeps her ear to the ground so she knows what customers are concerned about.
- We kept our ears to the ground for news about the new timetable.
Usage note
Match the possessive to the subject: my ear, her ear, our ears. “Keep an ear to the ground” is another useful form.
A short conversation
A: Do you know whether any weekend jobs are available?
B: Not yet, but I will keep my ear to the ground.
A: Thanks. Please tell me if you hear anything.
One more practice question
Who is keeping their ear to the ground?
A. Someone paying attention to news and conversations about new opportunities.
B. Someone deliberately ignoring every update.
Check your answer
A. The person is staying alert to what is happening around them.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.