about one's ears adv. phr. To or into complete collapse, defeat, or ruin; to the destruction of a person's plans, hopes, or happiness.
They planned to have factories all over the world but the war brought their plans down about their ears. John hoped to go to college and become a great scientist some day, but when his father died he had to get a job, and John's dreams came crashing around his ears. Compare: ON ONE'S HEAD.
[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲