prick

Universal Words verb, noun verb 1 [VN] ~ sth (with sth) to make a very small hole in sth with a sharp point: Prick holes in the paper with a pin. * He pricked the balloon and burst it. 2 [VN] ~ sth (on sth) to make a small hole in the skin so that it hurts or bleeds: She pricked her finger on a needle. 3 to make sb feel a slight pain as if they were being pricked: [V] He felt a pricking sensation in his throat. * [VN] Tears pricked her eyes. IDIOMS prick your conscience