Phrasal Verb: Understanding 'Turned a Deaf Ear To'

The question asks for the meaning of the underlined phrasal verb "turned a deaf ear to" in the sentence "He turned a deaf ear to my request." This phrase is an idiom, which means its meaning cannot be understood simply by looking at the individual words.

Meaning of 'Turned a Deaf Ear To'

• When someone "turns a deaf ear to" something, it means they deliberately choose not to listen or pay attention to it.
• It implies a conscious decision to disregard a request, advice, or warning, acting as if they cannot hear it or are unwilling to hear it.
• The core meaning is to refuse to listen or to simply ignore.

Analyzing the Options

Let's examine each option provided to determine the correct meaning of the phrasal verb "turned a deaf ear to":

• Ignored: This option directly aligns with the meaning of "turned a deaf ear to." If someone ignores a request, they pay no attention to it, just as someone who turns a deaf ear to it.
• Appreciated: This word means to recognize the full worth of something or to be grateful for it. This is the opposite of ignoring something; therefore, it is incorrect.
• Twisted: This word means to bend or distort something. It has no relevance to the meaning of not listening or ignoring a request, making it an incorrect option.
• Returned: This word means to come or go back to a place or person, or to give, send, or put something back. This meaning is completely unrelated to the phrasal verb in question, making it incorrect.

Contextual Example

Consider another example to solidify the understanding: "The children turned a deaf ear to their parents' calls to come inside, continuing to play in the garden." This sentence clearly illustrates that the children ignored their parents' calls.

Based on the analysis, the phrasal verb "turned a deaf ear to" means to ignore. Thus, "ignored" is the correct interpretation of the phrasal verb.