What does “A hungry belly has no ears.” mean?
"A hungry belly has no ears" means that when someone is hungry, they are not receptive to anything else and cannot focus on anything but satisfying their hunger.
What context can I use the in?
Example
I tried to explain the situation to him, but a hungry belly has no ears. He was too focused on finding food.
Example
She was so hungry that a hungry belly has no ears. She couldn't concentrate on anything else until she had something to eat.
Example
I wanted to have a serious conversation with him, but a hungry belly has no ears. We had to postpone the discussion until after we had eaten
Is “A hungry belly has no ears.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“A hungry belly has no ears.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “A hungry belly has no ears.” effectively in context?
You can use "A hungry belly has no ears" to emphasize that when someone is hungry, they are not receptive to anything else and cannot focus on anything but satisfying their hunger. For example, if a friend is trying to talk to you about something important while you're starving, you might say, 'I'm sorry, but right now, a hungry belly has no ears. Let's grab something to eat first.'
- 1Communication
I tried to explain the situation to him, but a hungry belly has no ears. He was too focused on finding food.
- 2Physical Needs
She was so hungry that a hungry belly has no ears. She couldn't concentrate on anything else until she had something to eat.
- 3Timing
I wanted to have a serious conversation with him, but a hungry belly has no ears. We had to postpone the discussion until after we had eaten.
Similar phrases to “A hungry belly has no ears.”:
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “A hungry belly has no ears.” come from?
The origin of the phrase "A hungry belly has no ears" is unknown.
Is “A hungry belly has no ears.” common in everyday conversation?
"A hungry belly has no ears" is not a very common phrase in everyday conversation, but it is still used occasionally, especially in informal settings or when discussing the importance of meeting basic needs before addressing other matters.
What tone does “A hungry belly has no ears.” have?
"A hungry belly has no ears" conveys a tone of understanding and empathy. It acknowledges the strong influence of hunger on a person's ability to focus and engage in meaningful communication.
Can “A hungry belly has no ears.” be used in informal and formal settings?
"A hungry belly has no ears" is more commonly used in informal settings. It is often used in casual conversations among friends or family members, or in situations where people can relate to the experience of being hungry and its impact on attention and concentration.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'I can't discuss this matter with you right now because "a hungry belly has no ears".' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Time to eat! "A hungry belly has no ears"!' to imply the importance of satisfying hunger before addressing other matters.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- hunger blinds
- hunger takes priority
- hunger overpowers
- hunger dominates
Antonyms
- a satisfied belly has open ears
- a full stomach is receptive
- satiety enhances listening
