hear

Universal Words 1 (not used in the progressive tenses) to be aware of sounds with your ears: [V] I can't hear very well. * [VN] She heard footsteps behind her. * I couldn't hear anything. * [VN-ing] He could hear a dog barking. * [VNinf] Did you hear him go out? * I heard a car drive off. * [Vwh-] Didn't you hear what I said? * [VNtoinf] She has been heard to make threats to her former lover. HELPNOTE This pattern is only used in the passive. 2 (not used in the progressive tenses) to listen or pay attention to sb/sth: [VN] Did you hear that play on the radio last night? * a chance to hear the first movement again * to hear both sides of the argument * [VNinf] Be quiet-I can't hear myself think! (= it is so noisy that I can't think clearly) * Have you ever heard him lecture? * [Vwh-] We'd better hear what they have to say. * I hear what you're saying (= I have listened to your opinion), but you're wrong. 3 (not usually used in the progressive tenses) ~ (about sb/sth) to be told about sth: [V] Haven't you heard? She resigned. * 'I'm getting married.' 'So I've heard.' * I was sorry to hear about your accident. * Wait till he hears about this. * [VN] We had heard nothing for weeks. * I was delighted to hear your good news. * [V(that)] I was surprised to hear (that) he was married. * [VN(that)] I've heard it said (that) they met in Italy. [also Vwh-] 4 [VN] to listen to and judge a case in a court of law: The appeal was heard in private. * Today the jury began to hear the evidence. IDIOMS Have you heard the one about...? used to ask sb if they have heard a particular joke before hear! hear! used to show that you agree with or approve of what sb has just said, especially during a speech hear tell (of sth) (old-fashioned or formal) to hear people talking about sth: I've often heard tell of such things. not / never hear the end of it to keep being reminded of sth because sb is always talking to you about it: If we don't get her a dog we'll never hear the end of it. you could hear a pin drop it was extremely quiet: The audience was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. (Do) you hear me? (spoken) used to tell sb in an angry way to pay attention and obey you: You can't go-do you hear me? moreatLASTn., THING, VOICEn. PHRASALVERBS hear from sb