地じ獄ごく耳みみ

noun, expression

sharp-eared; quick to catch rumors; keen-eared

Describes a person who is unusually quick to hear gossip, secrets, or rumors, often with a slightly negative or wary nuance. Used as a noun or noun-like expression.

• 彼かれは地じ獄ごく耳みみだから、内ない緒しょ話ばなしは気きをつけて。

  He has sharp ears, so be careful with secrets.

• 地じ獄ごく耳みみの同どう僚りょうが、私わたしの噂うわさをすぐに聞ききつけた。

  My sharp-eared colleague quickly caught wind of the rumor about me.

noun, expression

retentive memory for heard things; never forgets what one hears

Refers to the ability to remember everything one hears, often with a sense of amazement or caution. Less common than the rumor-related sense, but still used in everyday speech.

• 祖そ母ぼは地じ獄ごく耳みみで、一いち度ど聞きいた話はなしは絶ぜっ対たいに忘わすれない。

  My grandmother has an incredible memory for things she hears; she never forgets a story once she's heard it.