PRICK UP Meaning and
Definition
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"Prick up" is a phrasal verb that refers to the action of suddenly becoming attentive or alert, usually to a sound or a particular situation. This phrase is commonly used in informal or conversational contexts. When someone pricks up, they raise or perk up their ears, metaphorically suggesting that they are suddenly paying extra attention or showing interest.
The term "prick up" can also be used to portray heightened sensitivity to certain stimuli or an increased level of curiosity. It implies a sudden reaction or response, as if the person's attention has been instantly captivated by something specific or unexpected.
For example, one might say, "The dog pricked up its ears when it heard the sound of footsteps approaching." This indicates that the dog suddenly became alert and attentive, tilting its head and moving its ears to better catch and analyze the sound. It can also be used metaphorically like, "The students all pricked up when the teacher mentioned a surprise field trip." This implies that the students became instantly intrigued and focused, eager to learn more about the potential outing.
In summary, "prick up" denotes the act of becoming suddenly attentive, alert, or interested in response to a specific stimulus or situation.
Common Misspellings for PRICK UP
- orick up
- lrick up
- 0rick up
- peick up
- pdick up
- pfick up
- ptick up
- p5ick up
- p4ick up
- pruck up
- prjck up
- prkck up
- prock up
- pr9ck up
- pr8ck up
- prixk up
- privk up
- prifk up
- pridk up
Etymology of PRICK UP
The phrase "prick up" is a combination of the verb "prick" and the preposition "up".
The verb "prick" dates back to Middle English, derived from the Old English word "priccan", which means "to prick, to make a small hole or puncture". This word likely has Germanic roots. Over time, the meaning of "prick" evolved to include piercing or causing a sharp, stinging sensation.
The preposition "up" has roots in Old English, where it was originally spelled "ūp", meaning "upward, up to a higher position". It has remained relatively unchanged throughout the centuries and is still commonly used in English today.
The pairing of "prick" and "up" in the phrase "prick up" implies a sudden attention or alertness, often associated with the way animals raise their ears or noses in response to a sound or smell.
Idioms with the word PRICK UP
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prick up its ears
The idiom "prick up its ears" means to suddenly become attentive or start listening carefully to something. It is often used to describe the act of paying close attention or showing heightened interest in a particular topic, conversation, or situation. The phrase is metaphorical, comparing the sudden alertness of an animal's ears to the increased attentiveness of an individual.
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prick up one's ears
The definition of the idiom "prick up one's ears" is to suddenly become very attentive and start listening carefully to something, particularly when there is an interesting or important topic being discussed.
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prick up ears
The idiom "prick up ears" means to listen attentively or become suddenly alert and interested in something that was said or heard.
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prick up your ears
The idiom "prick up your ears" means to suddenly and attentively listen to something, usually in response to hearing an interesting or important piece of information, a warning, or an unexpected sound. It implies being alert, paying close attention, and showing interest in what is being said or heard.
Similar spelling word for PRICK UP
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