Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - hear

~ v past tense and past participle heard 1 »HEAR SOUNDS/WORDS ETC« T not in progressive to know that a sound is being made, using your ears  (Did you hear that noise? | I called his name, but he pretended not to hear. | hear sb/sth doing sth)  (I think I can hear someone knocking. | hear sb/sth do sth)  (Dixon's going to resign - I heard him say so. | hear what)  (I'm sorry, I didn't hear what you said. | be heard to say/ask/remark etc)  (One delegate was heard to remark that the conference had been a waste of time.) 2 »LISTEN TO SB/STH« T not usually in progressive) to listen to what someone is saying, the music they are playing etc  (Without waiting to hear her answer, he stood up and walked away. | You can hear that broadcast again on Monday at 9.00. | hear sb do sth)  (Pavarotti is amazing - you should hear him sing `Nessun dorma'. | hear what)  (Let's hear what he's got to say. | I hear what you're saying spoken (=used to tell someone that you have listened to their opinion))  (I hear what you're saying, but we can't ignore the facts.) 3 »BE TOLD STH« T not usually in progressive) to be told or find out a piece of information  (hear (that))  (I hear you've been selected to play for the A team.) + abou  (Did you hear about the fire?) be glad/pleased to hear (that)  (I'm glad to hear your sister's feeling better. | so I've heard spoken (=used to say that you already know about something))  ("Nina's quit her job." "Yes, so I've heard." | hear sth)  (We've heard such a lot about you. | hear what/how/who etc)  (When the authorities heard what we were planning, they tried to stop us. | hear anything of (=receive any news about))  (Have you heard anything of Bob lately? | hear sth on the grapevine (=find out about something in conversation) | I've heard it said spoken also I've hear tell old-fashioned (=used when you are repeating something that someone else has told you))  (I've heard it said she's a tough businesswoman.) 4 »IN COURT« hear a case if a court or a committee hears a case, they listen to all the evidence in order to make a decision  (The case was heard at Teeside Crown Court on April 10.) 5 I won't hear of it spoken used to say that someone should not do something, especially because you want to help them  (I've offered to pay Simon for fixing my car, but he won't hear of it.) 6 I/we haven't heard the last of spoken used to say that someone or something will cause more problems for you  (I'm sure we haven't heard the last of that woman.) 7 I'll/he'll etc will never hear the end of it spoken used to say that someone will criticize or make jokes about something you have done  (If my Mum finds out, I'll never hear the end of it.) 8 be hearing things to imagine you can hear a sound when really there is no sound  (I must be hearing things)  (I must be hearing things, I could have sworn you just called my name.) 9 (do) you hear me? spoken used when you are giving someone an order and want to be certain that they will obey you  (Now you go straight home. You hear me?) 10 now hear this! AmE old use used to introduce an important official announcement 11 you could hear a pin drop used to say that a place was extremely quiet  (After she finished telling her story you could have heard a pin drop.) 12 I can't hear myself think spoken used to say that the place where you are is too noisy 13 have you heard the one about... used when asking someone if they know a joke  (Have you heard the one about the turtle and the elephant?) 14 I've heard that one before spoken used when you do not believe someone's excuse or explanation  (Kept late at the office, were you? I've heard that one before.) hear from sb phr v 1 to receive news from someone, usually by letter  (Have you heard from Sarah lately? | I look forward to hearing from you (=used at the end of a letter)) 2 to listen to someone giving their opinion in a radio or television discussion programme  (And now we are going to hear from some of the victims of violent crime.) hear of sb/sth phr v 1 have heard of to know that someone or something exists because you have been told about them  (I've never heard of him!) 2 (not in progressive) to get news or information about someone or something  (she/he was last heard of (=the last time people say they saw someone))  (He was last heard of in Lancing, Michigan in .)  (- compare hear from hear, - see also unheard­of) hear sb out phr v T not in passive to listen to all of what someone wants to tell you without interrupting them  (Look, I know you're angry but you could at least hear me out.)