pay attention
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pay attention (to someone or something)
To be attentive to, become aware of, or be responsive (to someone or something). My father never paid attention to the financial burden his gambling was creating until it was too late. You need to start paying attention to your kids, or you won't have a relationship with them when they're grown up. Pay attention, Mark—there will be a quiz on this material at the end of the week!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
pay attention
Heed, be attentive to, as in Now pay attention to these instructions. [Second half of 1700s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.