PhrasesHub

Prick up your ears

    Definitions

      • to listen carefully and attentively
        Encourage someone to pay close attention to what is being said or heard

    Examples of Prick up your ears

    • The dog suddenly stopped barking and pricked up his ears as he heard a strange noise coming from outside.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone or an animal becomes alert and attentive to their surroundings after hearing a sound. The origin of this idiom comes from the way a dog's ears move when they hear something, as if they are "pricking up" to listen more carefully.

    • "Anyone at the back prick up your ears, I think I hear an important announcement coming from the speaker," said the teacher as she noticed some students in the back of the classroom not paying attention.

      In this example, the teacher is using the idiom to encourage students to become more attentive and focused. It conveys the idea that the students should become alert and listen carefully to what is being said, much like how a dog listens when it hears a new sound.

    • The group was hiking in the woods when they came across a loud vibration. They all stopped and pricked up their ears to listen closely to the sound.

      In this example, the idiom is being used to describe how the group became more attentive and alert to their surroundings after hearing an unusual sound. It conveys the idea that the group listened carefully to the sound to determine its origin.

    • The musician stopped playing and pricked up his ears as he heard a faint sound coming from the audience.

      In this example, the musician becomes more attentive and alert to his surroundings after hearing a faint sound. The idiom highlights how the musicianlistens closely to the sound to determine its origin. This idiom is commonly used in situations where someone is becoming more attentive to their surroundings due to hearing a sound.

    • The detective told the witness to prick up their ears as he was about to reveal a crucial piece of evidence.

      This idiom is used to mean "listen carefully" or "pay close attention". In this context, the detective is urging the witness to listen carefully as the upcoming information is vital to the case.

    • The teacher instructed the students to prick up their ears and listen intently as she was about to share some exciting news.

      Here, the teacher is asking the students to listen attentively as she has some important information to share. This usage of the idiom emphasizes the importance of the speaker's words and the listener's responsibility to heed them.

    • The coach shouted at the players to prick up their ears and focus on his instructions.

      This usage of the idiom is commonly used in sports or coaching contexts. The coach is encouraging the players to listen intently and concentrate on his instructions.

    • The musician signaled to the audience to prick up their ears and prepare for an unexpected twist in the song.

      Here, the musician is asking the audience to listen carefully as he's about to introduce an element that's not part of the usual song structure. This usage of the idiom adds excitement and anticipation to the musical performance.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "prick up your ears" is used to advise someone to listen carefully and attentively. It is often used to draw attention to important information or to encourage active listening. This idiom can be used in various contexts, such as in educational settings, during conversations, or when receiving instructions.

    Origin of "Prick up your ears"

    The origin of the idiom "prick up your ears" can be traced back to the behavior of certain animals, particularly horses and dogs. When these animals are attentive and listening intently, their ears are often seen to "prick up," or stand upright. This visual cue is associated with heightened awareness and attentiveness. Over time, the expression was adopted into human language to convey the idea of being alert and attentive. The idiom has since become a common way to encourage someone to listen carefully and pay close attention. For example, a teacher might tell their students to "prick up their ears" when introducing a new topic, or a parent might use the phrase to encourage their child to listen to an important instruction.