His boss sent him off with a flea in his ear. The experience did much to colour his thinking. I got rather fed up with industry, he recalls.
Within Shell, Mr. Steere has a reputation for bluntness, a man who is likely to send away those riddled with worry and indecision with a flea in their ear. Don’t bring me problems, bring me solutions is a phrase he likes to use.
Colin Firth’s Darcy finally spoke his mind after two weeks of staring in silence at Elizabeth (Jennifer Ehle) with a fire in his heart. Of course, she sent him off with a flea in his ear, outraged by his ungentleman - like manner of proposing, incensed by reports of his high – handedness.