prick up one’s ears

(verb) to listen carefully

Example Sentences:

Hey! Everyone! Prick up your ears! I have an announcement to make!

Roger pricked up his ears when he heard someone whispering about him in the hallway.

Teacher: See you tomorrow for our test.
Student: There’s a test tomorrow?
Teacher: Yes. I told you three times.
Student: I didn’t know that.
Teacher: If you started pricking up your ears then maybe you would hear what I’m saying.

From the Blogs:

Prick up your ears – Important News to Follow

Media:

Similar idioms:

1. all ears
2. not mince words
3. wet behind the ears
4. a picture paints a thousand words
5. fall on hard times
6. hard times
7. see through someone
8. bullshit
9. hit the books
10. WTF
11. let it slide
12. hit the nail on the head