Search
Select the dictionary language
to perk (up) one's ears
[perk|prick] {one's} ears up
to perk (up) one's ears
01
to hear something interesting and start to listen to it carefully
![to [perk|prick] (up|) {one's} ears definition and meaning](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/42696/original/?type=jpeg "to [perk|prick] (up|) {one's} ears definition and meaning")
Idiom
Informal
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.
Examples
He seemed to like me being there and always perked his ears up when I started reading to him.
