← Back to Fala2Me

eavesdrop

[/ˈiːvzdrɒp/]
verb
espiar; ouvir escondido; interceptar conversas
1. to listen secretly to a private conversation without the knowledge or permission of the speakers
She was caught eavesdropping on her parents' phone call.
Ela foi apanhada espiando a conversa telefônica de seus pais.
2. to overhear or listen in on someone else's conversation intentionally
He tried to eavesdrop on the business meeting through the door.
Ele tentou ouvir escondido a reunião de negócios através da porta.
NYC Slang
be all ears (when intentionally listening); scope out (casual eavesdropping)
Synonyms
listen inoverhearspyinterceptbugwiretap
Antonyms
confideshare openlydisclose

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
espiar; ouvir escondido
most common usage in Brazilian Portuguese
São Paulo
ficar de orelha em pé; interceptar
colloquial expressions used in São Paulo
Portugal
bisbilhotar; escutar às escondidas
common usage in European Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

have big ears
keep one's ears open
walls have ears
listen in on someone
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →