Pesquisar
to perk (up) one's ears
01
to hear something interesting and start to listen to it carefully
What is the origin of the idiom "perk one's ears" and when to use it?
The phrase "perk one's ears" is an idiom that originates from the behavior of horses. When a horse is alert or attentive, it tends to perk or prick its ears, raising them upright to better listen to sounds or detect movements. In the context of the idiom, it is used to describe the act of becoming attentive and alert to sounds or information.
Exemplo
During the dinner party, I pricked up my ears when I overheard a discussion about a topic I'm passionate about.
The horse pricked its ears when it heard its owner approaching.
As soon as the boss mentioned possible promotions, the employees pricked up their ears, hoping to hear more details.
The children pricked up their ears when they heard the word 'ice-cream'.
As the squirrel approached, the rabbit pricked its ears, ready to dart away at any sign of danger.