A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

have the ear of someone • reach the ear of
 someone
have the ear of someone —have smb.’s favorable attention
(especially from smb. in a position of power): He has been one
of Italy’s most influential figures, a man who is said to have
had the ear of any Italian prime minister.
reach the ear of someone —(also: reach the ears of someone) 
1
.
(of a sound) be perceived by a person: Another sound had
reached my ear; an unmistakable one this time — the rattling
of a key in its lock. 2. (of news, rumors, etc.) come to smb.’s
knowledge: Sometimes the opposition will debate a piece of
have something handed on a plate
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legislation in the hope that some of their comments will reach
the ear of the government.
have the face • lose face
have the face —(followed by Infinitive) be sufficiently shame-
less to do smth.: If I had done otherwise, how could I have
ever had the face to visit the graves of my parents?
lose face —(also: lose one’s face) damage one’s reputation; lose
respect: Admitting she cannot answer a child’s question, she
would lose face in front of her class.
have the floor • take the floor
have the floor —speak at a meeting, in a debate, etc.: You
now have the floor for the next five minutes.
take the floor —
1
. = have the floor: Arthur was one of several
House members to take the floor. 2. start dancing at a party,
etc.: “Will you dance with me?” She got up and they took the
floor.
have the key of the street • live in the street
have the key of the street—be shut out for the night with
nowhere to go: We once had the key of the street for a night.
We don’t know how many miles we walked before morning.
live in the street—(also: live on the street) be homeless: Chil-
dren who live in the street or perform activities in the street
are susceptible to violence and exploitation.