prick

Definition

  • noun: a mark or shallow hole made by a pointed instrument
  • verb: to make a very small hole in (something) with a sharp pointed object
  • verb: to pierce slightly with a sharp point
  • used figuratively of people
  • synonyms: goad, point, skewer

Examples

  • Her 'ears pricked (up)' when they said her name. = She 'pricked up her ears' [=she started to listen carefully] when they said her name.

  • The photographs of the flood victims 'pricked my conscience' [=made me feel guilty] and I knew I had to do something to help.

  • The nurse gave my finger a (little) 'prick' (with a needle) and squeezed out a drop of blood.

Movie clips

Movie quotes

  • (..) Bing! Pow! Boom! You saw the paper, Anthony. My head was out like this. I'm coming around and who do I see in front of me? This prick again. He says, "What do you want to tell me now?" I said, "What are you doing here? I said to go fuck your mother." I thought he'd shit. Pow! Ping! (..)
    1990 Goodfellas
  • (..) How am I funny? What the fuck is so funny about me? Tell me what is funny! Get the fuck out of here, Tommy. Motherfucker! I almost had him! You stuttering prick, you! Frankie, was he shaking? I wonder about you sometimes, Henry. You may fold under questioning! What is with you? (..)
    1990 Goodfellas
  • (..) Gonna be okay. Relax. - Who is that? - Him? That's the warden. Don't you worry about him, alright? Looks like an ex-military prick. You know what? I ain't gonna argue with you on that one. You should have saved me. You should have saved all of us. Hey buddy. (..)
    2010 Shutter Island