Meaning & use
piques your fancy
Last updated
Meaning
phraseidiom
Makes you feel interested or want to try something.
Grammar: The subject is the thing that interests you: 'The idea piques your fancy.' Not used in the passive.
Patterns
- something piques your fancy
- something piques someone's fancy
We looked at several apartments, but none of them really piqued our fancy.
If a dish on the menu piques your fancy, just order it.
The title of the book piqued her fancy, so she bought it.
Common combinations
- really pique your fancy
- None of the dresses really piqued my fancy.
- something piques your fancy
- A trip to the coast piqued his fancy.
- pique someone's interest
- The lecture piqued my interest in astronomy.
- pique someone's curiosity
- The strange noise piqued her curiosity.
Synonyms and how they differ
- appeal to
- Use 'appeal to' when something is attractive or pleasing; 'pique your fancy' stresses a sudden spark of interest.
- catch your eye
- This is more about noticing something visually, while 'pique your fancy' is about wanting to try or know more.
- interest
- A plain verb for making someone want to know more; 'pique your fancy' is more idiomatic and a little playful.
Word family
Commonly confused: piques your fancy or peak? piques your fancy or peek?
piques your fancy vs peak
'Peak' means the top or highest point and sounds the same; 'pique' is the verb in this phrase.
piques your fancy vs peek
'Peek' means to look quickly, and it sounds like 'pique'; check the spelling.
Practice
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Choose one answer.
The thing that interests you is the subject: 'The movie piqued my fancy.' Option 1 reverses the roles, option 2 adds an unnecessary 'was,' and option 3 drops the possessive 'my.'
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “piques your fancy”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.