耳みみを揃そろえる

expression, ichidan verb

get together the full amount of money; come up with all the money needed

Idiomatic expression used when gathering the exact amount of money required, often to pay off a debt or meet a financial obligation. The image is of aligning the edges of bills or coins so that nothing is missing.

• 借しゃっ金きんを返かえすために、なんとか耳みみを揃そろえた。

  I somehow managed to get together the money to pay off the debt.

• 月げつ末まつまでに家や賃ちんを耳みみを揃そろえて払はらわなければならない。

  I have to come up with the full rent by the end of the month.