IdiomAnimals
English
Englishprick up one's ears
Meaning: To suddenly start listening closely.
Example: “The kids pricked up their ears at the words "ice cream."”
Origin: Horses and dogs raise their ears when something catches their attention. The figurative use is found in the late 16th century; in Shakespeare's The Tempest, Ariel says of some listeners that "like unback'd colts, they prick'd their ears."
Equivalents in other languages
French: Faire dresser l’oreille Literally: To make the ear stand up
Polish: strzyc uszami Literally: To shear with one's ears
More English idioms
- rise from the ashes To be reborn or rebuilt after destruction or failure.
- one's blood runs cold To be filled with sudden fear or horror.
- poke one's nose into To pry or interfere in matters that do not concern one.
- rot one's brain To dull one's mind through mindless activity.
- put someone back on their feet To help someone recover, financially, physically or emotionally.
- go down fighting To keep struggling until the very end, even when defeat is certain.
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