ATTENTION

attention /əˈtenʃn/ (n):

# [uncountable] attention (to something/somebody): the act of listening to, looking at or thinking about something/somebody carefully; interest that people show in somebody/something.

the report’s attention to detail.

He turned his attention back to the road again.

Please pay close attention (= listen carefully) to what I am saying.

Don't pay any attention to what they say (= don't think that it is important).

I tried not to draw attention to (= make people notice) the weak points in my argument.

An article in the newspaper caught my attention.

She tried to attract the waiter's attention.

I couldn't give the programme my undivided attention.

As the youngest child, she was always the centre of attention.

Small children have a very short attention span.

(formal) These issues should be brought to the attention of the public.

(formal) It has come to my attention (= I have been informed) that…

(formal) He called (their) attention to the fact that many files were missing.

(formal) Can I have your attention please?

enthral /ɪnˈθrɔːl/

(North American English enthrall)

# if something enthrals you, it is so interesting, beautiful, etc. that you give it all your attention.

SYNONYM entrance;

(be) enthralled (by something): The child watched, enthralled by the bright moving images.

The children listened enthralled as the storyteller unfolded her tale.

be enthralled with something: They were enthralled with the play.

enthral (somebody): This book will enthral readers of all ages.

The story never fails to enthral.

grab /ɡræb/ (v):

# [transitive] grab somebody/ something: to get somebody’s attention.

I'll see if I can grab the waitress and get the bill.

Glasgow’s drugs problem has grabbed the headlines tonight (= been published as an important story in the newspapers).

The play grabs the audience’s attention from the very start.

>>> how does… grab you? (idiom):

​# (informal) used to ask somebody whether they are interested in something or in doing something.

How does the idea of a trip to Rome grab you?