pricked up one's ears
Became sharply alert
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.
- perked upBecame more cheerful
- inquisitivenessEager desire to learn
- all earsFully attentive to speech
- paying heedActively noticing and considering
- active listeningFocused, responsive attention to speech
keen interest · tuned in · listening in · vigilance · raised eyebrows · intrigue · wonderment · concentration · eavesdropping · sharp hearing · awareness · eagerness · fascination · captivation · mental acuity · suspicious · picked up on · sensory processing
pricked up one's earstuned out
Ceased to pay attention
ignored · zoned out · closed one's ears · lost interest · switched off
pricked up one's earslost interest
couldn't care less · dismissed · shrugged off · brushed off · glazed over