earwigged

And according to a costuming chap I once earwigged on, Martin Shaw rolls up his sleeves in every production because he believes his forearms to be particularly attractive.

Spooky Stephen Tall 2007

Uliba went on sobbing, and Masteeat frowned at me as though becoming aware that the family squabble was being earwigged by this foreigner.

Flashman on the March Fraser, George MacDonald, 1925- 2005

'It was hardly undercover/he went on. 1 just went to a few games, drank in a few pubs and earwigged a few conversations.

Be My Enemy Brookmyre, Christopher, 1968- 2004

He gained his end; saw the new will signed; earwigged the lawyer; and kept a copy of it.

The Complete Prose Works of Martin Farquhar Tupper Martin Farquhar Tupper 1849

Suppose he was to do all this, and besides to blow upon a plant we've all been in, more or less -- of his own fancy; not grabbed, trapped, tried, earwigged by the parson and brought to it on bread and water, -- but of his own fancy; to please his own taste; stealing out at nights to find those most interested against us, and peaching to them.

Oliver Twist Charles Dickens 1841

Suppose he was to do all this, and besides to blow upon a plant we've all been in, more or less -- of his own fancy; not grabbed, trapped, tried, earwigged by the parson and brought to it on bread and water, -- but of his own fancy; to please his own taste; stealing out at nights to find those most interested against us, and peaching to them.

Oliver Twist 1838

Suppose he was to do all this, and besides to blow upon a plant we’ve all been in, more or less — of his own fancy; not grabbed, trapped, tried, earwigged by the parson and brought to it on bread and water, — but of his own fancy; to please his own taste; stealing out at nights to find those most interested against us, and peaching to them.

Oliver Twist 2007