Significado
To be alert and attentive.
Contexto cultural
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!
Significado
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!
Teste-se
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
In questo ufficio girano troppe voci, meglio ______ con le orecchie ______.
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?
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 ______.'
B wants to be alert for news, so 'starò con le orecchie dritte' is the correct choice.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
3 exerciciosIn questo ufficio girano troppe voci, meglio ______ con le orecchie ______.
The verb is 'stare' and the adjective must be feminine plural 'dritte' to match 'orecchie'.
Quale situazione è adatta?
The idiom implies active, alert listening, often for gossip or information.
A: 'Hai sentito del nuovo regolamento?' B: 'No, ma da oggi ______.'
B wants to be alert for news, so 'starò con le orecchie dritte' is the correct choice.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Perguntas frequentes
3 perguntasYes! 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.
Frases relacionadas
Essere tutto orecchi
similarTo be all ears.
Fare orecchie da mercante
contrastTo pretend not to hear.
Drizzare le antenne
synonymTo prick up one's antennas.
Stare in campana
similarTo be on guard.
