prick up one's ears
Become sharply attentive
To prick up one's ears is to suddenly become alert and attentive, like a dog or horse whose ears rise at an interesting sound.
The phrase describes that moment when something catches your attention and you start listening more carefully: She pricked up her ears when she heard her name mentioned in the next room.
- earAuditory organ
- inquisitiveEager to learn more
- auditoryOf or relating to hearing
- sharp hearingAcute auditory sensitivity
- eavesdropListen to private conversations
focus · rustle · sudden noise · alert · listen · perk · perk up · pay attention · vigilance · intrigued · footstep · attentiveness · keen interest · concentration · freeze · animal communication · heedfulness · fascinated
attentiveness to sound or information
prick up one's earstune out
Deliberately stop attending
turn a deaf ear · ignore · zone out · switch off · block out