ox ears; ears of an ox
Literal meaning: the ears of an ox. Most often encountered in the idiom 牛耳る (ぎゅうじる, 'to dominate, to control'), where it is used figuratively.
The word 牛耳 is rarely used alone; it is most often seen in the verb form 牛耳る (to dominate).
control; dominate; have under one's thumb
Compound of 牛 (ぎゅう, 'ox') and 耳 (じ, 'ear'). The figurative sense of 'domination' comes from the idiom 牛耳る, which is thought to originate from the idea of grabbing an ox by the ears to control it.