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3. prick up its ears

prick up its ears

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prick up its ears

 and prick up one's ears

Fig. [for an animal or a person] to become attentive. (The animal will adjust its ears toward the sound.) The sound made the dog prick its ears up. When Fred heard his name, he pricked up his ears. She pricked her ears up when she heard her name.

See also: ear, prick, up