put a bug in one’s ear字面意思是：把一只小虫放在某人的耳朵里。当然，会这样做的人是很少的。可是，你可以想象，耳朵里有只小虫子是会很难受的，会让你感到很烦，你也会想办法尽快把它弄出来。引申为给某人一个暗示，或者给某人提个建议，想办法刺激他，希望他能采取行动。

【例句】
Joe, I'll tell you what I'll do. As soon as I get a chance, I'll put a bug in Mr. Brown's ear about you so he'll start thinking about it.
Joe, 我来告诉你我准备怎么做。等到我一有机会，我就会跟Brown暗示有关你的事，这样他就会开始考虑了。

After he comes back from abroad next week, I'll put a bug in his ear about your interview.
等他下星期从国外回来后，我就跟他提你要采访他的事。