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draw attention — to cause people to notice or focus on something

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to cause people to notice or focus on something

Pronunciation (IPA): /drɔː əˈtɛnʃən/

Example Sentences

  • The public servant's unusual haircut drew attention during the exam interview, but his answers were even more impressive.
  • This civil service reform proposal has drawn attention from citizens across the country.
  • Wearing a bright pink suit to the government meeting is a great way to draw attention, but maybe not in a good way.

draw attention

VERB

[/drɔː əˈtɛnʃən/]

to cause people to notice or focus on something

The street magician's fiery trick draws attention from the whole plaza crowd.
💡 Concept

The street magician's fiery trick draws attention from the whole plaza crowd.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/drɔː əˈtɛnʃən/
🇬🇧 UK/drɔː əˈtenʃən/

🌳Etymology

Rootattent-
Suffix--ion

Origin

Draw originates from Old English 'dragan', meaning 'to pull or drag'. Attention derives from Latin 'attendere' (ad- 'to' + tendere 'to stretch'), literally meaning 'to direct one's mind toward'. The phrase combines the physical sense of pulling with the metaphorical sense of directing focus, creating the expression 'draw attention' — to pull someone's notice or interest toward something.

Breakdown

draw (Old English 'dragan': to pull, drag) + attention (Latin 'attendere': ad- 'to' + -tendere 'to stretch, direct'). The compound phrase transfers the literal action of pulling into a figurative one of capturing or directing someone's focus.

🎵Rhyme

straw attention
more attention
law attention

🔗Collocations

draw attention to something
draw public attention
draw media attention
draw international attention
draw unwanted attention
draw much attention
draw the attention of officials

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The public servant's unusual haircut drew attention during the exam interview, but his answers were even more impressive.”

“This civil service reform proposal has drawn attention from citizens across the country.”

😄 Fun example

“Wearing a bright pink suit to the government meeting is a great way to draw attention, but maybe not in a good way.”

“The report drew attention to the need for faster administrative reform.”

📚Related Words

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