prick up

• Verbe à particule signifiant dresser ou orienter vers le haut, principalement en parlant des oreilles d'un animal qui écoute attentivement. Peut aussi désigner le fait d'écouter avec une attention soudaine.

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

indénombrable · intransitif · phrasal, inséparable

1. Raise ears (animals)formal

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

   dresser les oreilles

   • 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.

   Synonymescockerectperk up

2. Become attentive (people)informal

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

   Devenir attentif

   • 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.

   Synonymesperk uptake notice

   Antonymesdisregardignoreoverlook

Verbe de baseprick