prick

/prik/

Definition

Noun:
- A small, sharp puncture or the act of making one: A prick is a tiny hole made by a sharp point, or the action of creating such a hole.
- A sharp, stinging pain: A prick can refer to a sudden, brief feeling of pain, often caused by a sharp object.
- A pointed object or instrument: A prick can be a tool or object with a sharp point, like a goad or a thorn.
- (Vulgar slang) Penis: In vulgar slang, "prick" is an obscene term for the penis.
- (Offensive slang) A contemptible or stupid person: Used as a strong insult for someone considered irritating, foolish, or mean.
Verb:
- To make a small hole with a sharp point: To prick is to puncture or pierce something lightly with a sharp object.
- To cause a sharp, stinging pain: To prick is to cause a sudden, brief physical pain, as if from a needle.
- To cause a sharp emotional pain or pang: To prick can mean to stimulate a feeling of guilt, remorse, or emotional discomfort.
- To raise or point upward: To prick, especially of an animal's ears, means to raise them to listen attentively.

Examples

Noun:
- She felt a sharp prick when the nurse took a blood sample.
- He's such a prick; he never thinks about anyone else. (Offensive slang)
- The prick of the thorn made her yelp.
Verb:
- Be careful not to prick your finger on the sewing needle.
- Her conscience pricked her after she told the lie.
- The dog pricked up its ears at the strange sound.

Advanced Usage

"to prick (up) one's ears": To suddenly begin listening carefully because of interest or alarm.
- The students pricked up their ears when the teacher mentioned there would be no homework.
"to prick the bubble of something": To destroy an illusion or reveal that something is not as good or important as it seemed.
- The harsh review pricked the bubble of the artist's early success.

Variants and Related Words

Prickle (n/verb): A small, sharp point or spine (like on a cactus); to cause a tingling or stinging sensation.
- The cactus is covered in prickles.
Prickly (adj): Covered in prickles; easily irritated or offended.
- He's in a prickly mood today.
Pricking (n/gerund): The sensation or act of being pricked.
- She felt a constant pricking in her thumb.

Synonyms

Related Phrasal Verbs

Prick out (Horticulture): To transplant seedlings into individual pots.
- Once the seedlings have two leaves, prick them out carefully.

Related Idioms

Kick against the pricks: To resist authority or a situation in a way that only causes harm to oneself.
- Refusing to follow the new rules is just kicking against the pricks.

Noun

the act of puncturing with a small point
- he gave the balloon a small prick
obscene terms for penis
a depression scratched or carved into a surface
insulting terms of address for people who are stupid or irritating or ridiculous

Verb

deliver a sting to
- A bee stung my arm yesterday
to cause a sharp emotional pain
- The thought of her unhappiness pricked his conscience
cause a prickling sensation
stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick
raise
- The dog pricked up his ears
cause a stinging pain
- The needle pricked his skin
make a small hole into, as with a needle or a thorn
- The nurse pricked my finger to get a small blood sample

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