The phrase "talked ear off" means talking excessively until the listener loses interest or patience. In phonetic transcription, it would be written as /tɔkt ɪr ɒf/. The 'talked' is pronounced with a long 'o' sound, and the 'ear' is pronounced with a short 'e' sound followed by an 'r' sound. The 'off' is pronounced with a short 'o' sound and a combined 'f' sound. This phrase is often used to describe a person who talks excessively in a conversation, leading to the other person losing interest or becoming bored.
The expression "talked ear off" is an idiomatic phrase that refers to the act of talking excessively or incessantly, ultimately causing the person who is being spoken to to feel overwhelmed or exhausted from listening. This phrase typically signifies a person's tendency to dominate conversations by speaking at length on a particular topic or simply without giving others a chance to speak.
When someone "talks ear off," they often exhibit a strong desire to express their thoughts, opinions, or experiences, often without pausing to assess whether the listener is interested or engaged in the conversation. Their words may pour out in an uncontrollable flow, leaving little room for others to participate or interject. This phrase implies that the excessive talking may become burdensome for the listener, metaphorically suggesting that their ear has become almost figuratively "off" as a result of being overwhelmed by what they are hearing.
The person who talks ear off is often enthused or passionate about the subject they are discussing, but their lack of awareness or consideration for others' participation can make conversations one-sided and unbalanced. This expression conveys a sense of annoyance or weariness that the listener may experience due to being inundated with an exorbitant amount of talking.