C1 Idiom غیر رسمی

Stare con le orecchie dritte

To stand with ears straight

معنی

To be alert and attentive.

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

The idiom reflects the 'cultura del sospetto' (culture of suspicion) that sometimes characterizes Italian social and political life, where reading between the lines is essential. In Tuscany, you might hear 'rizzare i peli' or 'rizzare le orecchie' more frequently, emphasizing the physical reaction of the body to a stimulus. In the South, vigilance is often associated with 'stare in campana' (staying in the bell), but 'orecchie dritte' remains a standard way to describe someone who is 'sveglio' (awake/smart). In Italian startups and modern firms, this idiom is used to describe 'market listening'—being aware of what competitors and customers are saying.

🎯

Use it for 'Vibe-Checking'

It's the perfect phrase for when you sense the 'vibe' of a room changing but don't have facts yet.

⚠️

Don't use with 'occhi'

While English says 'eyes peeled,' Italians don't say 'occhi dritti.' Stick to ears!

معنی

To be alert and attentive.

🎯

Use it for 'Vibe-Checking'

It's the perfect phrase for when you sense the 'vibe' of a room changing but don't have facts yet.

⚠️

Don't use with 'occhi'

While English says 'eyes peeled,' Italians don't say 'occhi dritti.' Stick to ears!

خودت رو بسنج

Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.

In questo ufficio girano troppe voci, meglio ______ con le orecchie ______.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: stare / dritte

The verb is 'stare' and the adjective must be feminine plural 'dritte' to match 'orecchie'.

Which situation best fits the use of 'stare con le orecchie dritte'?

Quale situazione è adatta?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Cercare di sentire se i vicini stanno litigando per capire cosa succede.

The idiom implies active, alert listening, often for gossip or information.

Complete the dialogue.

A: 'Hai sentito del nuovo regolamento?' B: 'No, ma da oggi ______.'

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: starò con le orecchie dritte

B wants to be alert for news, so 'starò con le orecchie dritte' is the correct choice.

🎉 امتیاز: /3

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

بانک تمرین

3 تمرین‌ها
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom. جای خالی B1

In questo ufficio girano troppe voci, meglio ______ con le orecchie ______.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: stare / dritte

The verb is 'stare' and the adjective must be feminine plural 'dritte' to match 'orecchie'.

Which situation best fits the use of 'stare con le orecchie dritte'? Choose A2

Quale situazione è adatta?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Cercare di sentire se i vicini stanno litigando per capire cosa succede.

The idiom implies active, alert listening, often for gossip or information.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B2

A: 'Hai sentito del nuovo regolamento?' B: 'No, ma da oggi ______.'

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: starò con le orecchie dritte

B wants to be alert for news, so 'starò con le orecchie dritte' is the correct choice.

🎉 امتیاز: /3

سوالات متداول

3 سوال

Yes! If you are waiting for good news, like a lottery win or a surprise party, you can say you are 'con le orecchie dritte.'

In this idiom, always use 'orecchie' (feminine plural). 'Orecchi' sounds archaic or overly technical here.

No, it's not rude. It's informal and vivid, but perfectly acceptable among friends and colleagues.

عبارات مرتبط

🔗

Essere tutto orecchi

similar

To be all ears.

🔗

Fare orecchie da mercante

contrast

To pretend not to hear.

🔄

Drizzare le antenne

synonym

To prick up one's antennas.

🔗

Stare in campana

similar

To be on guard.

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