Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
pin-back-your-ears
idiom
/pɪn bæk jʊr ɪrz/
Definition
To listen carefully or to pay close attention, particularly in a context where one might need to be alert to important information or potential threats.
Examples
- When the teacher started discussing the upcoming exam, I had to pin back my ears to catch every detail.
- As the leader began to speak, the audience pinned back their ears in anticipation of the announcement.
- She pinned back her ears when he revealed the latest company news.
Meaning
The phrase ‘pin back your ears’ suggests an action of concentrating one’s attention severely, much like the way animals might pin their ears back when they are focused on something potentially important or when they are agitated.
Synonyms
- listen closely
- pay attention
- focus intently
- be all ears
