overhear

Word family

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++o·ver·hear /ˌəʊvəˈhɪə $ ˌoʊvərˈhɪr/ verb (past tense and past participle overheard /-ˈhɜːd $ -ˈhɜːrd/) [transitive] HEARto accidentally hear what other people are saying, when they do not know that you have heard 无意中听到，偶然听到 I overheard part of their conversation. 我碰巧听到了他们谈话的部分内容。overhear somebody saying something She overheard the management discussing pay rises. 她无意中听到管理层在讨论加薪的事。overhear somebody say (that) We overheard the teacher say there would be a pop quiz today. 我们无意中听到老师说今天有突击测验。 I couldn’t help overhearing your argument. 我无意中听到了你们的争吵。► see thesaurus at hear → eavesdrop→ See Verb table

Examples from the Corpus

overhear• She claims to have overheard an argument between the President and the First Lady.• an overheard conversation• A fellow trader talking to another thrift president on another line overheard DiNapoli and cracked up.• Marc was gazing out of the window, but he couldn't help overhearing her side of the conversation.• We overheard Jenny and her friends talking about their boyfriends last night.• Their strategy was overheard on a police scanner that was able to intercept cellular phone transmissions.• Anyone who overhears or intercepts the key in transit can later read all encrypted messages using that key.• I think I must have overheard telephone conversations about Margarett getting drunk and late-night parties at Prides.• Rostov wondered if the Manchu had overheard the conversation, but he gave no sign.• Claire, who was outside the door, overheard their conversation.• I couldn't help overhearing you and Jim last night - is something wrong?overhear somebody say (that)• Mr Mynott said that, apparently, neither minister realised that they had been overheard.• I overheard him say that he lost his desire, lost his drive and everything.