prick up one's ears; listen attentively
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to turn one's head and prick up one's ears; to listen attentively
literaryLiterally means to turn the head to one side, causing one ear to lean forward. Describes the action of listening very carefully or trying to hear something faint. Often used in a literary or descriptive context.
Tā他
tàn探
shēn身
chuāng窗
wài外
，
cè侧
ěr耳
xì细
tīng听
。
He leaned out the window, pricking up his ears to listen carefully.
Guān观
zhòng众
men们
dōu都
cè侧
ěr耳
děng等
dài待
yīn音
yuè乐
xiǎng响
qǐ起
。
The audience all pricked up their ears, waiting for the music to begin.
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Xiǎo小
māo猫
cè侧
ěr耳
tīng听
zhe着
yuǎn远
chù处
de的
dòng动
jing静
。
The kitten pricked up its ears, listening to the sounds in the distance.
Wèi为
le了
tīng听
qīng清
ěr耳
yǔ语
，
tā她
bù不
dé得
bù不
cè侧
ěr耳
guò过
qù去
。
To hear the whisper clearly, she had to turn her head and lean her ear closer.