bring someone or something to someone's attention
to make someone aware of someone or something. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I am grateful for your bringing her to my attention.
bring something to someone's attention
to make someone aware of something; to mention or show something to someone. I would like to bring this problem to your attention. If there is something I should know about, please bring it to my attention.
call attention to someone or something
to cause someone, including oneself, or something to be noticed or observed. I think he dresses like that simply to call attention to himself.
call someone's attention to something
and call something to someone's attentionto bring something to someone's notice; to make someone recognize some fact. May I call your attention to the sign on the door? He called to our attention the notice on the wall.
call someone to attention
to demand that someone assume the formal military stance of attention. The officer called the platoon to attention. The sergeant called us to attention.
center of attention
the focus of people's attention; the thing or person who monopolizes people's attention. She had a way of making herself the center of attention wherever she went.
come to attention
to assume a formal military posture, standing very straight. Almost immediately, the soldiers came to attention.
come to someone's attention
and come to someone's noticeto be told to, revealed to, or discovered by someone. It has come to my attention that you are not following the rules. Your comments have just come to my notice.
direct someone's attention to someone or something
to focus someone's regard or concern on someone or something; to cause someone to notice someone or something. May I directyour attention to the young man in the purple costume? The announcer directed our attention to the magician who was coming on stage.
draw someone's attention to someone or something
to attract someone to notice or focus on someone or something. Now, I would like to draw your attention to Fred, the gentleman we have all heard so much about. Could I draw your attention to the statue standing at the entrance?
draw something to someone's attention
to make someone aware of something. Please draw this error to the clerk's attention.
grab someone's attention
and get someone's attention; grip someone's attentionFig. to draw or attract someone's attention. The bright colors on the poster are there to grab your attention. The scary movie gripped my attention.
hold someone's attention
Fig. to keep someone's attention; to keep someone interested. The boring teacher could not hold the students' attention. The mystery novel held my attention and I couldn't put it down.
pay attention (to someone or something)
to give attention (to someone or something). Please pay attention to the teacher. Max always pays careful attention to what is being told to him.
rivet someone's attention
Fig. to keep someone's attention fixed [on something]. The movie riveted the audience's attention. Professor Jones's lecture riveted the students' attention.
spring to attention
to move quickly to assume the military posture of attention. The recruit sprang to attention.