It stings my ears.

Question

Hello,

"It stings my ears"

Could anyone tell me if I can use the above in a figurative sense, meaning that something ,that has been said, draws my attention and is negative?

ex.
Swore words sting my ears.
His heavy accent stings my ears.

If the phrase is not the right one could you tell me the one that could be used in the sentences above?.

Thanks

MrPedantic · Accepted Answer

'Stings my ears' would be very figurative; it isn't an idiom, as far as I know.

'Swear words offend my ears', perhaps.

MrP

Abbie1948 · Answer

I think you can say " painful to my ears"

"the sound of saxophones is painful to my ears"

Yogi2005 · Answer

Thank you for your comments and given expressions.

Please, help me with my additional questions.

1. How 'stings my ears' would be understood?

2. can we say 'His heavy accent is painful to my ears' or is it only used when we hear something that is very loud ?

3.I think we cannot say 'his heavy accent offends my ears', can't we?

4.What expression can we use if somebodies accent or the way he/she speaks or unclear
pronunciation drawa our attention and , at the same time , bothers us?

4. What about "It bothers my ears" in the examples given in my previous post?

thanks

Abbie1948 · Answer

Yes, exactly - you can say "his heavy accent is painful to my ears."

I also think you could say "it offends my ears", but not "bothers my ears" - it just doesn't sound right.

It stings my ears.

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