rivet attention

rivet (one's) attention (on someone or something)

1. To capture and hold one's attention completely. The astonishing magic trick riveted the audience's attention. The film riveted my attention from beginning to end.

2. To focus one's attention completely and continuously (on someone or something). I riveted my attention on the television as the final seconds of the game ticked away. I don't think I could handle celebrity. Having thousands of people rivet their attention on me every day sounds like a nightmare.

See also: attention, rivet, someone

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

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: attention, rivet

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.