What is the meaning of the Filipino idiom Taingang-kawali?

• A. Pretending not to hear something.
• B. Being exceptionally honest.
• C. Ignoring a direct order.
• D. Speaking clearly and loudly.

Answer: (A)

Taingang-kawali describes someone who acts deaf to what is being said—ears like a wok or pan that won’t respond to sound. It’s a vivid metaphor for choosing not to listen, often to dodge answering or avoiding responsibility. You’ll hear this phrase when someone repeatedly ignores a request or question even though it’s spoken directly to them. The idea is about pretending not to hear rather than truly hearing but refusing to react. For example, if someone is told to do something and they just don’t acknowledge it, you might describe them as taingang-kawali. So the meaning is pretending not to hear something. It isn’t about honesty, and it isn’t about speaking loudly or clearly; rather, it’s about turning a deaf ear.