"prick up its ears" in Chinese (Simplified)

• 竖起耳朵
• 侧耳倾听

Definition

这个表达指的是认真听或者突然变得警觉，通常是因为注意到了有趣或重要的事情。本意来自动物在警觉时会竖起耳朵。

Usage Notes (Chinese (Simplified))

多用于动物（尤其是狗），也比喻人突然专心听某事。常见于故事或轻松的对话，不适合正式场合。“perk up one's ears”意思相近。是习语表达。

Examples

The dog pricked up its ears when it heard a noise.

狗听到声音时**竖起了耳朵**。

Whenever I say 'walk,' my puppy pricks up its ears.

每当我说“散步”，我的小狗就会**竖起耳朵**。

The rabbit pricked up its ears at the sound of footsteps.

兔子听到脚步声时**竖起了耳朵**。

When I mentioned free pizza, everyone in the office pricked up their ears.

我一提到免费披萨，办公室里的人都**竖起了耳朵**。

You could see the kids prick up their ears as soon as the teacher said, 'Story time.'

老师一说“讲故事时间”，孩子们立刻**竖起了耳朵**。

Her cat will prick up its ears anytime someone opens a can in the kitchen.

她的猫每次听到厨房开罐子的声音都会**竖起耳朵**。