to hear what other people are saying without intending to and without their knowledge

I overheard a very funny conversation on the bus this morning. 今天早上我坐公共汽车时，无意中听到一段好笑的谈话。

[ + obj + -ing verb ] He overheard his daughter telling her doll not to be so naughty. 他碰巧听到女儿对她的毛绒玩具说别那么淘气。

[ + obj + infinitive without to ] We overheard them say that they didn't really like the food. 我们无意中听到他们说他们其实并不喜欢那些饭菜。

I'm sorry, I couldn't help overhearing. 很抱歉，我是碰巧听到的。

Synonym: catch