Meaning:
Used to mock someone that they are nearly deaf.
Someone who is deaf as a doornail is someone who is, or is accused of being, almost completely if not completely deaf. It’s also related to other similar expressions such as deaf as a post, deaf as a doorpost, and deaf as a doorknob
History:
History dates back to the 13th century. In those days, carpenters used a doornail for placing doors. Once the door nail is bent at the ends and secured, any additional carpentry work will not have any effect on it . There are also references to the idiom being used in 1546. The idiom is also used in an American story published in 1917.
Idiom scenarios:
Scenario 1:
Help – Desk : Hello, Natasha, here. How may I help you?
Customer ( feebly) : I want to book a flight to Paris.
Friend 1: I can barely hear you
Friend 2( feebly again) : I want to book a flight to Paris.
Help – Desk ( angrily) : I’m deaf as a doornail. Can you be louder, please?
Scenario 2:
Wife : Here is the brochure of the latest diamond jewellery
Husband seems disinterested.
Wife’s friend : I think he didn’t hear you.
Wife : He is deaf as a doornail
Scenario 3:
Air Hostess 1: Would you like to have a drink ?
Passenger ( in a flight): Does not reply. Engrossed in a book
Air hostess 2: I think he is deaf as a doornail
Examples:
Go through the examples to understand the usage of the idiom:
1. The waitress was tired of repeating the menu over and over again. She thought that the customer was deaf as a doornail.
2. The lawyer argued fiercely. But the judge seemed deaf as a doornail.
3. Sarah became deaf as a doornail because of the bomb blast.
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