prick up your ears

prick up (one's) ears

1. Literally, of an animal, to raise its ears, as upon hearing a sudden noise. The dogs pricked up their ears and started staring outside. I wonder what they heard.

2. To pay sudden close attention to something one overhears. 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.

See also: ear, prick, up

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

prick up your ears

If 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.

See also: ear, prick, up

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

prick up your ears

1 (especially of a horse or dog) make the ears stand erect when on the alert. 2 (of a person) become suddenly attentive.

See also: ear, prick, up

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

ˌprick up your ˈears

,

your ˈears prick up

start 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.

See also: ear, prick, up

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017