take notice

idiomatic phrase

: to become aware of or give attention to something or someone : to observe or treat something or someone with special attention

… one Saturday in October 1984, San Francisco coach Bill Walsh flipped on the TV to watch college football, saw Rice on the highlights and took notice.

—Peter King

—often used with of

It was a while before anyone took notice of the change.

… suggests that the academy is at last beginning to sit up and take notice of how the world really works.

—Terry Teachout

They took no notice of him. [=they ignored him]

Examples of take notice in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sometimes by doing your own thing others take notice, get curious, and want to join in. —J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2024

Young people and the brands trying to reach them have taken notice. —Jared Lindzon, TIME, 30 May 2024

The Carrier board apparently took notice in a big way. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 29 May 2024

No matter, something’s wrong in Harford County politics and the wahoos involved need to take notice. —Patrick Wallis, Baltimore Sun, 24 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined above