take the wax out of one's ears

present singular third person takes the wax out of one's ears · participle present taking the wax out of one's ears · past took the wax out of one's ears · participle past taken the wax out of one's ears

1. derogatoryidiomaticimperativeoftenslangTo listen more carefully or pay closer attention.

   I shall give it to them, and I ask the member for Horowhenua to take the wax out of her ears and sit and listen.

   1988, New Zealand, Parliament, House of Representatives, Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), Volume 491, page 5824

   2 more examples

   Again, you see, they had not listened to me (how I wanted to take the wax out of their ears!), they did not wish to be turned from their pre-conceived notions.

   1943, Dorothy Fremont Grant, What Other Answer, page 247

   It was that party that got us into the mess that we are in today. Maybe my friend should take the wax out of his ears and start listening to what Canada is all about.

   2006, Canada, Parliament, House of Commons, House of Commons Debates, Official Report, Volume 141, Issues 87-97, page 5390