交头接耳 jiāotóu-jiē’ěr to whisper to one another's ear
How to remember 交头接耳: 交 hand over + 头 head + 接 receive + 耳 ear = to whisper to one another's ear.
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How it is used
- To whisper head-to-head, murmuring privately in a group - 学生在下面交头接耳 (xuésheng zài xiàmian jiāotóu-jiē'ěr) the students were whispering among themselves.
- Usually carries a disapproving tone: covert side-talk when one should be quiet or attentive.
- Vivid image: heads together, mouths at ears; used adverbially or as a predicate.