attract attention

Meaning

To behave or look in a way that makes other people notice you or what you are doing. It can be intentional (like advertising) or unintentional (like making a loud noise in public).

Examples

• Brightly colored flowers are designed to attract attention from bees.

  Brightly colored flowers are designed to attract attention from bees.

• He wore a quiet, dark suit because he didn't want to attract attention.

  He wore a quiet, dark suit because he didn't want to attract attention.

• The flashing lights of the emergency vehicle immediately began to attract attention.

  The flashing lights of the emergency vehicle immediately began to attract attention.

• The new startup used a controversial marketing campaign to attract attention.

  The new startup used a controversial marketing campaign to attract attention.

• Try not to make too much noise; we don't want to attract attention to ourselves.

  Try not to make too much noise; we don't want to attract attention to ourselves.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Her unusual outfit attracted the attention of everyone.

  ✓ Her unusual outfit attracted everyone's attention.

  While 'attracted the attention of' is grammatically correct, 'attracted everyone's attention' or 'attracted attention from everyone' sounds much more natural and punchy.

• ✗ The loud sound caught attention of the crowd.

  ✓ The loud sound attracted the attention of the crowd.

  'Catch someone's attention' or 'attract attention' are the correct collocations. 'Catch attention of' lacks the correct possessive or article structure.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The company designed a vibrant logo to ___ in a crowded marketplace.

  💡 Make people notice them.

  Show answer

  attract attention

• Please walk quietly so we don't ___ while passing the library.

  💡 Avoid getting noticed.

  Show answer

  attract attention