Idioms She turned a deaf ear to the old man’s advice. The children were all ears when their teacher told them a story. Abby hit the sack early because he was exhausted. The boy was under the weather last week. He was on cloud nine after winning the competition. He passed the examination with flying colours. It was raining cats and dogs, so the pupils stayed at home. Someone spilled the beans about Rema’s surprise birthday party. Anna was feeling blue because her kitten was lost. John had to burn the midnight oil to complete all his homework. My sister is a couch potato and she does not like to participate in any activity that makes her tired.