Meaning
To be suddenly surprised or alerted by unexpected news or information.
Cultural Background
In Korea, sharing 'information' (정보) is a key part of social bonding. Being the first to hear something that makes your 'ears flash open' gives you social capital. Ancient physiognomy (관상) suggests that ears that 'stand up' or are 'open' indicate a person who is intelligent and quick to learn. In Korean variety shows (like Running Man), you will often see a 'CG' effect of lightning or sparkles around a cast member's ears when this idiom is used. While hierarchical, Korean offices rely heavily on informal networks. Hearing a 'rumor' that makes your ears perk up is often how people prepare for official changes.
Use with '-다는 말에'
This is the most natural way to link the cause. 'X-라는 말에 귀가 번쩍 뜨였다.'
Spelling Alert
Don't write '띄이다'. Even many Koreans make this mistake, but '뜨이다' is the standard for this idiom.
Meaning
To be suddenly surprised or alerted by unexpected news or information.
Use with '-다는 말에'
This is the most natural way to link the cause. 'X-라는 말에 귀가 번쩍 뜨였다.'
Spelling Alert
Don't write '띄이다'. Even many Koreans make this mistake, but '뜨이다' is the standard for this idiom.
Add Body Language
When saying this, slightly tilt your head or widen your eyes to mimic the 'flash' effect.
Humor
You can use this to jokingly show you are greedy or love gossip. '돈 준다고? 귀가 번쩍 뜨이네!'
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
공짜라는 말에 (______) 뜨였다.
The context of 'hearing' (말에) requires '귀' (ear).
Which situation is most appropriate for this idiom?
When would you say '귀가 번쩍 뜨였다'?
The idiom is used for hearing interesting or advantageous news.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 이번에 우리 팀 전원에게 휴가비를 준대요. B: 정말요? 그 소식에 (______).
Hearing about vacation money is a perfect reason for your ears to perk up.
Match the idiom with its meaning.
Match the following:
귀가 가렵다 means someone is talking about you; 귀가 얇다 means you are easily persuaded.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Eyes vs Ears
Practice Bank
4 exercises공짜라는 말에 (______) 뜨였다.
The context of 'hearing' (말에) requires '귀' (ear).
When would you say '귀가 번쩍 뜨였다'?
The idiom is used for hearing interesting or advantageous news.
A: 이번에 우리 팀 전원에게 휴가비를 준대요. B: 정말요? 그 소식에 (______).
Hearing about vacation money is a perfect reason for your ears to perk up.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
귀가 가렵다 means someone is talking about you; 귀가 얇다 means you are easily persuaded.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsUsually, it's for news that is interesting, advantageous, or surprising in a way that makes you want to hear more. For purely tragic news, it's less common.
Yes, if a client offers a good deal, saying '귀가 번쩍 뜨이는 제안이네요' is a polite way to show high interest.
'번쩍 뜨이다' is the initial shock of interest; '솔깃하다' is the feeling of being tempted or persuaded after hearing it.
Yes, without '번쩍', the idiom loses its vivid 'flash' meaning and sounds incomplete.
No, you must use the passive '뜨였어요'.
No, it's purely figurative for 'paying attention'.
No, it's a standard idiom used by all age groups.
No, only for things you hear.
Use '눈이 번쩍 뜨이다'.
Yes, very frequently in novels to describe a character's reaction.
Related Phrases
귀가 솔깃하다
similarTo be tempted by what one hears.
눈이 번쩍 뜨이다
similarTo have one's eyes opened (literally or figuratively).
귀를 의심하다
contrastTo doubt one's ears.
귀에 못이 박히다
contrastTo hear something so much that a callus forms in the ear.
귀가 가렵다
relatedTo feel like someone is talking about you.
