Meaning
To be eagerly and attentively listening, fully focused on what someone is about to say.
It is used to invite or announce that a person is ready and curious to hear an explanation, story, or piece of news, often right after being told that something important is coming.
Origin
The phrase is a good-natured hyperbole: it pictures a listener so completely focused on hearing something that their whole body seems to have turned into a single giant ear. The exaggerated image has been used in English since at least the early nineteenth century and remains one of the most common idioms for expressing full attention.
Examples
Go ahead and tell me what happened at the meeting, I am all ears.
As soon as she mentioned a surprise trip, the kids were all ears.
I know you have been wanting to explain your side of the story, so go on, I am all ears.
A: I have some news about the merger.
B: Really? I am all ears.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'All ears' mean?
To be eagerly and attentively listening, fully focused on what someone is about to say.
It is used to invite or announce that a person is ready and curious to hear an explanation, story, or piece of news, often right after being told that something important is coming.