Expression: Box your ears

[NinaZara]

Hello,

What does "box your ears" really mean? I used to think it as just hitting or punching someone, but not on the ears. Why the ears? I always wonder about it although I've been using the expression since kindergarten. It's one of my favourite.

And what does "Don't put a box around your ears" mean? I came across it while yahooing for "box your ears".

Thank you in advance.

Nina

[Alan]

Hi,

It's used usually as a threat that will never actually take place because obviously boxing (hitting ) someone on the ears is very dangerous. It's often used in a playful sense as: If you do that again, I'll box your ears (I'll hit you)

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Word Story: Jokes

[NinaZara]

So that is the reason. I always thought hitting any part of the head is dangerous.

Thanks!