prick up
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To rise and become more alert.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To raise (one's ears).
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
Meaning · English
To apply an undercoat of plaster in order to create a smooth surface for the final coat.
Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt
Phủ một lớp bột thạch cao dưới để tạo bề mặt mịn
Machine-translated — suggest a fix
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “prick up” mean?
To rise and become more alert.
Is “prick up” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.