🦻 Prick Up One’s Ears, To
prick up one’s ears, to - To listen attentively. This term, which alludes to horses holding up their ears at a sudden noise, dates from the sixteenth century. Shakespeare used it in The Tempest (4.1): “Like unback’d colts, they prick’d their ears.”
Synonyms:
- Tune in - We must always “tune in” to understand others.
- Lend an ear - When a friend is in need, simply “lend an ear.”
- Hang on every word - During a captivating speech, you might find yourself “hanging on every word.”
Related and Similar Terms:
- Perk up - When someone mentions your favorite meal, you “perk up.”
- Pay attention - Teachers always remind students to “pay attention.”
- Listen up - A casual way to tell someone to “prick up their ears.”
Antonyms:
- Tune out - When the lecture gets too boring, you might “tune out.”
- Ignore - It’s rude to “ignore” someone who’s speaking.
- Zone out - Daydreamers often “zone out.”
Humor-Filled Quotes:
“The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it. Certainly, try to ‘prick up your ears’ rather than raising your voice.” – Fictitious Funster “I prick up my ears only for juicy gossip and the ice-cream truck jingle.” – Misheard Melody
Proverbs:
- “Listen or your tongue will keep you deaf.” – Native American Proverb
- “To speak and to speak well are two things. A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks.” – Ben Jonson
Suggested Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies:
- Literature: The Tempest by William Shakespeare. 🌊🧙♂️
- Books: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie – to master listening.
- Songs: “Listen” by Beyoncé – for some ear-pricking inspiration. 🎶🥵
- Poetry: “If…” by Rudyard Kipling – focusing on resilience is always better with ears pricked.
- Movies: The King’s Speech - listening skill feeds effective communication. 🗣️👑
### What does "prick up one’s ears" mean?
- [x] To listen attentively.
- [ ] To clean out one’s ears.
- [ ] To prepare for combat.
- [ ] To find specific sounds.
> **Explanation:** Simply put, if you "prick up your ears," you're tuning in and listening carefully.
### Which of the following is a synonym of "prick up one’s ears"?
- [ ] Zone out
- [x] Tune in
- [ ] Walk away
- [ ] Shut down
> **Explanation:** "Tune in" carries the same meaning. It's all about active listening.
### Finish the quote: "I prick up my ears only for..."
- [ ] rocks
- [ ] television
- [x] juicy gossip and the ice-cream truck jingle
- [ ] paperclips
> **Explanation:** A little humor never hurts. Juicy matters and ice cream are irresistibly ear-pricking!
### True or False: Horses pricking their ears is the origin of the phrase "prick up one’s ears."
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** Correct! The idiom’s origin ties back to how horses react to sudden noises.
Inspired by those who tune in and transform the noise into a harmonious melody.
Always remember, when in doubt, just prick up your ears.
Until next time, lend an ear and listen to the whispers of wisdom across life’s symphony.
With puns and fun,
Audrey Quoth
