ENGLISH
REFERENCE

draw attention to sb/sth

idiom.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

idiom. to make people notice someone or something, often on purpose.

idiom. to direct the focus or awareness of others toward a specific person, object, or fact; often used with a deliberate communicative intent.


SIMPLE

I don't want to draw attention to my new haircut.

CONTEXTUAL

The speaker used a bright red laser pointer to draw attention to the data on the screen.

COMPLEX

By highlighting the inconsistencies in the witness's testimony, the lawyer successfully managed to draw attention to the possibility of a wrongful conviction.

Usage

usually followed by the preposition 'to' and a noun or pronoun.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'attract attention', which is often passive or unintentional, whereas 'draw attention to' is usually a conscious action by a subject.

Pitfall

He drew attention on the problem.He drew attention to the problem.the verb 'draw' in this context requires the preposition 'to' to indicate the target of the focus.

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