paying attention
phraseUK /ˌpeɪɪŋ əˈtenʃən/
US /ˌpeɪɪŋ əˈtɛnʃən/
Watching and listening very carefully to something.
The students were paying attention to the teacher during the lesson.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. Taking care of someone or something.
She is paying attention to her little brother while their mom is out.
3. Showing interest in what someone is saying or doing.
He started paying attention to her ideas after she explained them.
4. Watching something closely to notice changes.
The scientist was paying attention to how the plants grew each day.