聞きき耳みみ

noun

straining one's ears; listening intently

Refers to the act of listening carefully, often to catch faint or distant sounds. Commonly used in the phrase 聞き耳を立てる (to prick up one's ears).

• 隣となりの部屋へやの話はなしを聞きき耳みみを立たてて聞きいていた。

  I was straining my ears to listen to the conversation in the next room.

• 彼かれはドアの外そとで聞きき耳みみを立たてた。

  He pricked up his ears outside the door.