What does 'turn it on its ear' mean?
I was getting notes on a screenplay and heard the expression 'turn it on its ear.' What does that mean? Kind of a weird visual for an idiom.
To 'turn something on its ear' means to make it fresh or exciting in a surprising way.
The phrase 'turn it on its ear' is an idiomatic expression that means to completely change or reinterpret something, often in a surprising or innovative way. It suggests flipping the situation or idea upside down, altering its course, or approaching it from a different perspective. While the phrase may seem a bit strange at first, it's a metaphorical way of saying to disrupt the normal or expected pattern and come up with a fresh alternative.
To fully understand idiomatic expressions like this one, it can be helpful to explore the origin and usage of the phrase. However, the exact origin of 'turn it on its ear' is uncertain. Idioms often develop over time, and they may not have a specific story or reason behind them.
If you encounter such expressions and want to understand them better, you can try looking up the phrases in dictionaries or idiom guides. They often provide explanations and examples of usage. Additionally, considering the context in which the idiom is used can offer valuable insights into its meaning. In this case, if you were receiving notes on a screenplay, it is likely that the person suggesting to 'turn it on its ear' is encouraging you to be creative and think outside the box in order to make your screenplay more interesting or captivating.