Example: Während des Vortrags spitzte sie aufmerksam die Ohren, um nichts zu verpassen.
Definition
"Die Ohren spitzen" means to listen very carefully and attentively, often to catch every detail or sound. It is used to describe the action of focusing one's hearing deliberately, as in the example where someone attentively listened during a lecture to miss nothing.
Translations
prick up one's ears
aguzar el oído
de oren spitsen
parar bé l'orella
dresser l'oreille
Etymology
The phrase "die Ohren spitzen" literally translates to "to point the ears." It originates from the idea that animals with pointed ears can hear better, so the phrase metaphorically suggests sharpening one's hearing. Did you know? This expression has been used in German for centuries to describe paying close attention by listening carefully.
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"Die Ohren spitzen" appears in the Vocaplus list "", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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prick up one's ears