set (someone) by the ears



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set (someone) by the ears

To cause (someone, generally a group of two or more people) to engage in a squabble, dispute, or altercation. The entire town was set by the ears when it was announced that a giant megastore would be replacing many of its local shops and grocery marts. Jake likes to set his classmates by the ears as a means of getting attention.
See also: ear, set

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Asmaa-Arabic
ChasityCHAS-i-teeEnglish
Wilhelminavil-hel-MEE-nah (Dutch)Dutch, German, Polish, English
Halvdan-Norwegian
Cillian-Irish
Ronnetterə-NETEnglish (Rare)