To have one’s ears
pinned back means to be severely
scolded or to be
bested in an athletic contest, soundly. The
idiom have one’s ears pinned back is an American phrase that came into use in the mid-1800s. Its origin is uncertain. Some say it is derived from the sport of wrestling and some say it is somehow linked to the emotional state of an animal with its ears pinned back, though both of these explanations seem rather
dubious. It may be more likely that the phrase have one’s ears pinned back is related to some sort of physical punishment that has gone out of common use. Related terms are has one’s ears pinned back, had one’s ears pinned back and having one’s ears pinned back.
pinning their
ears back "He's about to have his ears
pinned back" Paul Drake, to
Perry Mason from the TV series "Perry Mason"