What does "Earwig" mean?

Eavesdrop To listen secretly to private conversations.

How do you use "Earwig" in a sentence?

Stop earwigging! Was earwigging their conversation.

Earwig

Slang Term British ★★★☆☆ Moderate Casual

Practice this with flashcards, quizzes & audio on WordLoci →

Meaning: Eavesdrop

偷听

Escuchar a escondidas

盗み聞きする

엿듣다, 도청하다

To listen secretly to private conversations.

偷偷听别人的私人谈话。

Escuchar en secreto conversaciones privadas.

他人のプライベートな会話をこっそり聞くこと。

남의 사적인 대화를 몰래 듣는 것.

Examples

Stop earwigging!
别偷听了！
¡deja de escuchar a escondidas!
盗み聞きするのやめて！
엿듣지 마!
Was earwigging their conversation.
在偷听他们的对话
estaba escuchando su conversación a escondidas
彼らの会話を盗み聞きしていた
그들의 대화를 엿듣고 있었다.

Pronunciation

/ˈɪəwɪɡ/

Usage Guide

Context: eavesdropping

Tone: accusatory

✓ Do Say

British casual
英国非正式场合使用
en contextos informales británicos
イギリスのカジュアルな場で使う
영국식 일상 표현

✗ Don't Say

Formal
正式场合不使用
No se usa en contextos formales
フォーマルな場では使わない
격식체

Common Mistakes

British slang

Origin & History

British slang, from the insect supposedly entering ears.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: All classes

Pop culture: British TV

Regional notes: British.

Variations

EarwigEarwigging