彼女はしっかり耳をおさえていた。

she; her; her; girlfriend; sweetheart

topic marker particle; indicates contrast with another option (stated or unstated); adds emphasis

tightly (holding on); firmly; securely; strongly (built); solidly; sturdily; steadily; properly; well; sufficiently; hard (working, etc.); fully; completely; reliably; dependably; levelheadedly; shrewdly; wisely; cleverly

ear; hearing; edge; crust; selvedge (non-fray machined edge of fabrics); selvage

indicates direct object of action; indicates subject of causative expression; indicates an area traversed; indicates time (period) over which action takes place; indicates point of departure or separation of action; indicates object of desire, like, hate, etc.

to pin something down; to hold something down; to hold something back; to stop; to restrain; to curb; to seize; to grasp; to arrest; to gain control of something; to govern; to keep down (e.g. information); to suppress; to catch happening; to determine (important points); to find (proof); to understand