Meaning
To turn a deaf ear
Example
Avisei ele várias vezes, mas ele fez ouvidos de mercador.
I warned him several times, but he turned a deaf ear.
Origin
The phrase pictures a mercador (merchant) who pretends not to hear. A trader haggling over goods would feign indifference to a customer's offer, acting as if deaf, to win better terms — so "having a merchant's ears" came to mean deliberately ignoring what one hears.
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More idioms
Acertar na moscaTo guess correctly / To hit the nail on the headAmigo da onçaA fake/false friendAndar na linhaTo toe the line / To behave properlyArmar um barracoTo cause a public sceneRodar a baianaTo cause a public scene / To go ballisticArrumar sarna pra se coçarTo ask for troubleArrastar as asasTo hit on someone / To flirtAbrir o jogoTo come clean / To open upArregaçar as mangasTo roll up one's sleeves / To get to workAgarrar com unhas e dentesTo hold on for dear life / To seize an opportunity