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prick ears up

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prick your ears up

also prick up your ears

to listen carefully If you hear my name mentioned, prick up your ears – I want to know what you find out.

See also: ear, prick, up

prick your ears up

  (informal)

to start to listen carefully to what someone is saying, often because you think you may find out something interesting

Usage notes: Many animals prick up (= raise) their ears when they hear something.

Eve pricked her ears up when she heard her name being mentioned.

See also: ear, prick, up