How Do You Spell PRICK UP EARS?

Pronunciation: [pɹˈɪk ˌʌp ˈi͡əz] (IPA)

The phrase "prick up ears" is commonly used to describe listening closely or attentively. The spelling of "prick up" is straightforward, but the pronunciation of "ears" can be a bit more complicated. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is written as [ɪəz]. This means that the first vowel sound is a "short i" sound, followed by an "air" sound, and ending with a "z" sound. So, when you want to say "prick up ears," remember to stress the "i" sound and use the correct vowel and consonant sounds for "ears."

PRICK UP EARS Meaning and Definition

1. The phrase "prick up ears" is an idiomatic expression that is used to describe the action of suddenly paying close attention or becoming extremely alert and attentive to something that someone hears. It typically implies that the person was previously unaware or disinterested in the conversation or situation, but subsequently becomes highly interested, curious, or attentive due to hearing a significant or intriguing piece of information. The term is derived from the notion of an animal or a human's ears suddenly raising or perking up in response to a sudden or unexpected sound or stimulus.

   When someone "pricks up their ears," it suggests that they are actively focusing their attention on what is being said or happening around them. This figurative action generally indicates heightened attentiveness, indicating the sudden interest or engagement that occurs when someone hears something that grabs their attention or piques their interest.

   The term is often used metaphorically to convey the idea of suddenly becoming alert, responsive, or attentive to something specific in any given situation. This expression is prevalent in both everyday conversation and written language, particularly in discussions involving attention-grabbing news, interesting tidbits, or surprising revelations.

Common Misspellings for PRICK UP EARS

• -pricks up ears
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• pr9ck up ears
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Idioms with the word PRICK UP EARS

• prick up ears To prick up ears means to listen carefully or attentively. It is often used to describe someone becoming alert or interested in something they have heard.