kick against the pricks

hurt oneself by persisting in useless resistance or protest

以卵击石；螳臂挡车

prick up one's ears

(especially of a horse or dog) make the ears stand erect when on the alert

（尤指马或狗）警惕地竖起耳朵

a spare prick at a wedding

(Brit. vulgar slang)a person who is out of place or has no role in a particular situation

(英，粗俚)格格不入的人，不合时宜的人

prick something out

draw a picture or pattern by making small holes in a surface

用刺痕（或刺孔、小圆点）标出

he pricked out a rough design with his dagger.

他用匕首戳出一个粗略的图案。

plant seedlings in small holes made in the earth

将幼苗移植到小土洞里

he was in the garden pricking out marigolds.

他在花园里把万寿菊幼苗移植到小土洞里。

prick up (one's) ears

To listen with attentive interest.

专注地听：以极大的兴趣听