attract

attract (one's) attention

To cause one to notice or become interested in someone or something. That gorgeous guy attracted my attention the second he walked through the door. I started coughing to try to attract the hostess's attention. In a flashy car like that, you'll definitely attract other people's attention!
See also: attention, attract

attract to

To entice and thus draw toward. A noun or pronoun can be used between "attract" and "to." Watch out, bees are attracted to those flowers! A nice business card can attract a lot of new clients to your company. My sister has always been attracted to fashion.
See also: attract

like attracts like

People tend to seek out or be attracted to those that are similar or like-minded. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that John wants to find other Americans to hang out with. Like attracts like, after all. I know that like attracts like, but you should try associating with people with some more diverse perspectives on life.
See also: attract, like

opposites attract

Unlike people tend to be drawn to each other. A: "I have no idea why Ben and Julia are together when they have such different interests." B: "Well, opposites attract, right?" I know firsthand that opposites attract because my wife and I are very different people and have a very happy marriage!
See also: attract, opposite

you attract more flies with honey than vinegar

proverb You are more apt to get the results you want when you use kindness, rather than anger or aggression. I think the kids would visit you more if you were nicer to them. You attract more flies with honey than vinegar, you know. A: "The board rejected my proposal!" B: "Well, maybe if you didn't scream at them every time something went wrong, they would be more eager to work with you. After all, you attract more flies with honey than vinegar."
See also: attract, flies, honey, more, vinegar
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

attract (someone or something) to (someone or something else)

to draw or pull someone or something to someone or something else. The poster attracted a large number of people to the concert. The shouting attracted a lot of attention from the people who were nearby.
See also: attract
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

ˌopposites atˈtract

used to say that people who are very different are often attracted to each other: ‘Aren’t you surprised that Peter and Sally are together?’ ‘A little. But they say opposites attract, don’t they?’
See also: attract, opposite
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

attract to

v.
1. To exert a force or influence on something that tends to draw it toward something else: Bright colors attract insects to flowers. Many different kinds of metal are attracted to magnets.
2. To arouse in someone or something an interest or desire for something else: I've always been attracted to movies from the 1960s.
See also: attract
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • attract (one's) attention
  • force (someone or something) off (of) (something)
  • force off
  • indulge
  • indulge (oneself or someone) with (something)
  • indulge with
  • the jewel in (someone's or something's) crown
  • the jewel in someone's/something's crown
  • beauhunk
  • bohunk
References in periodicals archive
Attract b fli l l beneficial predators - The white fl owering annual, alyssum (Lobularia), makes a low growing plant and when planted between lettuce and other salad crops, the white flowers attract hoverflies that feed on aphids.
Top plants to ward off critters and protect your crops
Sopheak said the Kingdom currently attracts less Chinese visitors than other countries.
Kingdom attracts 1.2M tourists in Jan and Feb
The group official said Cho will visit North America to attract new investors there in August after the summer vacation season.
Shinhan desperate to attract foreign investment
Scot Christian University enrolled only 13 students for the 1,500 slots available, while International University did not attract any student.Other institutions such as Marist International University attracted only eight students, representing two per cent of the 400 slots provided, while Great Lakes University of Kisumu and Pan African University signed up only 85 and 40 students, respectively.
Course choices to blame for skills gap
Services that will attract a tax rate of 12 percent will include state-run lotteries, non-air conditioned hotels, business class air ticket, fertilisers and work contracts.
Ready reckoner on GST slabs from July 1, 2017
Before making, or running to the store and purchasing a shelter, know which type of birds you want to attract because there are so many shapes and designs created for particular species.
Attracting butterflies
ATTRACTS: Common Blue, Large Skipper, Meadow Brown, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Small White.
BUTTERFLY MAGNETS
But Worcester has other, less quantifiable, advantages that enable it to attract and keep loyal employees.
Worcester's pros and cons for startups
Other predators such as oilfish and night sharks are also attracted to light and often take bait on swordfish long-lines.
Light and fish behavior: the science behind our night-fishing tactics
Thirty-three percent of respondents said that they are very much trying to attract Gen Y members.
Online voting poll update--www.cutimes.com
For instance Syrian-made tubes, pipes and hollow profiles, of cast iron attract duties of 3.2%; and Syrian iron and steel reservoirs, tanks, vats and similar containers attract duties of 2.2%.
Steel industry benefits as EU strikes trade deal with Syria
For each programme, they spent just four days in a garden in a different town or city performing the ultimate reverse make-over: redesigning space to create an environment to attract a variety of birds, insects and animals.
Out in the wilds; gardens
She'd been asked what her 320,000-circulation daily newspaper was doing to attract young readers.
Shoptalk: A Young Investment