ear to the ground

Definitions

1. The practice or characteristic of carefully gathering information; a state or mindset of attentiveness.
   idiomatic
2. Pursuing the practice or having the characteristic of carefully gathering information; well-informed.
   attributive

Examples

“Congress never enacts a measure⟳ which is believed to oppose⟳ public opinion;—your Congressman keeps his ear to the ground.”

““There's no telling what a man might happen⟳ onto accidentally if he travels with his ear to the ground.””

“The tavern keeper's an old friend of mine—we was shipmates when we was younger—and he sort⟳ of keeps his ear to the ground for me.”

“TIME Justice Department correspondent Elaine Shannon is keeping her ear to the ground as candidates' names start⟳ to pop up.”

“The ear-to-the-ground President knew that all the unrest could not be blamed on Communists.”

CEFR level