capture (one's) heart

To gain the love, affection, or admiration of someone. She wasn't too impressed with me when I first met her, but I managed to capture her heart by opening up to her about my aspirations as an artist. The rising star has already captured fans' hearts across the country, as her career continues its meteoric rise. Tyler's sense of humor is really what captured my heart. I had never laughed so much on a first date before.

capture (one's) imagination

To hold one's interest or spark one's creativity. I know it sounds strange, but his talk on the importance of obtuse angles really captured my imagination. That movie captured his imagination so much that it inspired him to become a screenwriter. You know, I really doubt that a lecture on socket wrenches could capture anyone's imagination.

capture lightning in a bottle

To achieve or succeed at doing something that is incredibly difficult, unlikely, or elusive. Primarily heard in US. The playwright captured lightning in a bottle with his first play, taking the world by storm and thrusting him into the spotlight of fame. This rookie team, such underdogs in this championship, are trying to capture lightning in a bottle with an upset win over the number one seed. A: "Wow, those two young actors have such a natural, easy chemistry—their love story really feels authentic." B: "I know, the casting director captured lightning in a bottle with those two."

capture the heart of (someone)

To gain the love, affection, or admiration of someone. To get into a school like that, you really need to write a powerful essay that captures the heart of the admissions recruiter. The rising star has already captured the hearts of fans across the country as her career continues its meteoric rise. Listen, you have to capture the heart of the nation if you want people to turn out at the polls for you.

capture the heart of (something)

To encapsulate or reflect the true essence of something. I've yet to see a movie adaptation that truly captures the heart of that beloved young adult novel. During Christmas, every ad campaign aims to capture the heart of the holidays and entice viewers to buy their product. No photo or write-up in a catalog can capture the heart of our campus—you really have to come visit and experience it for yourself.

capture someone's imagination

Fig. to intrigue someone; to interest someone in a lasting way; to stimulate someone's imagination. The story of the young wizard has captured the imagination of the world's children.