prick up

• Verbo frasal que indica erguir o levantar algo, especialmente las orejas cuando se escucha con atención; también puede referirse a animarse o prestar atención de repente.

A phrasal verb used to indicate the act of raising or pointing upward, typically referring to ears when listening attentively.

incontable · intransitivo · phrasal, inseparable

1. Raise ears (animals)formal

   When an animal, especially a horse or dog, raises its ears to listen carefully.

   Aguzar las orejas

   • The dog pricked up its ears at the sound of the doorbell.
   • The horse pricked up its ears and turned its head toward the noise.
   • The cat pricked up its ears when it heard a mouse.

   Sinónimoscockerectperk up

2. Become attentive (people)informal

   To suddenly become very interested or pay close attention to what is being said.

   Aguzar el oído / Prestar atención

   • She pricked up her ears when she heard her name mentioned.
   • The students pricked up their ears when the teacher announced a surprise test.
   • He pricked up his ears at the mention of a promotion.

   Sinónimosperk uptake notice

   Antónimosdisregardignoreoverlook

Verbo baseprick