| 词汇 | prick up (one's) ears |
| 释义 | prick up (one's) earsTo suddenly pay close attention to something. Be sure to prick up your ears if anything about the case is mentioned. I can't help but prick up my ears if I hear someone say my name—even if they aren't talking about me. prick up its earsand prick up one's earsFig. [for an animal or a person] to become attentive. (The animal will adjust its ears toward the sound.) The sound made the dog prick its ears up. When Fred heard his name, he pricked up his ears. She pricked her ears up when she heard her name. prick up one's earsListen carefully, pay close attention, as in When she heard them mention her boyfriend she pricked up her ears. This term alludes to horses raising their ears at a sudden noise. [Late 1500s] prick up your earsIf someone pricks up their ears, they start listening eagerly, because they suddenly hear an interesting sound or piece of information. Olivia pricked up her ears at the mention of James. Note: You can also say that someone's ears prick up. My ears pricked up when I heard her talk about food. Note: When animals such as dogs hear a sudden or unfamiliar noise, they prick up their ears; that is, their ears become more upright so that they can hear the sound better. prick up your ears1 (especially of a horse or dog) make the ears stand erect when on the alert. 2 (of a person) become suddenly attentive.ˌprick up your ˈears,your ˈears prick upstart to listen carefully: ‘And the winner is ...’ He pricked up his ears. ‘... Michael Poole.’This expression refers to the way dogs, horses and other animals raise their ears when they listen with attention. prick up (one's) ears To listen with attentive interest. |
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