Have you
ever seen a cowboy movie in which the character seems to listen to the earth?
He has his ear to the ground to hear approaching
horses. Keeping an ear to the ground means that
you are focusing your attention, watching carefully, and staying aware of what
is happening in the world around you so that you are not surprised.
Example #1:
Please keep your ear to the ground about this
investment.
Example #2:
If I had kept my ear to the ground, I might have
noticed that she was acting differently.
Example #3:
She had her ear to the ground and got the best
price on that new house.
Example #4:
The candidate planned to keep her ear to the ground
and change her election strategy if needed.
