attention (redirected from attentional)

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.

See also: bring

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.

See also: bring

call someone's attention to something and call something to someone's attention

to 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.

See also: call

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.

See also: call

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.

See also: call

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.

See also: center

come to someone's attention and come to someone's notice

to 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.

See also: come

come to attention

to assume a formal military posture, standing very straight. Almost immediately, the soldiers came to attention.

See also: come

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.

See also: direct

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?

See also: draw

draw something to someone's attention

to make someone aware of something. Please draw this error to the clerk's attention.

See also: draw

grab someone's attention and get someone's attention; grip someone's attention

Fig. 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.

See also: grab

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.

See also: hold

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.

See also: pay

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.

See also: rivet

spring to attention

to move quickly to assume the military posture of attention. The recruit sprang to attention.

See also: spring

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the center of attention

someone or something everyone notices Frost was the center of attention in the week before the game.

See also: center