Definition

1. Verb:
   • To listen carefully and pay attention: To give one's full consideration and focus to something that is being said or to a situation, often with the implication of acting on the information or advice received.

Usage

• This verb phrase is used to advise or instruct someone to be attentive and mindful. It often precedes or follows a warning or important piece of information.
• It is typically used in formal or serious contexts.
• Grammatical Note: "Take heed" is an intransitive phrasal verb. It is often followed by the preposition "of" when an object is specified (e.g., "take heed of the warning").

Examples

• Verb:
  • The captain told the crew to take heed as the storm approached.
  • You should take heed of your doctor's advice.
  • I warned him, but he failed to take heed.

Advanced Usage

• "to take heed that...": Used to introduce a clause specifying what one should be mindful of.
  • Take heed that the path is slippery after the rain.
• "to take heed lest...": A formal or literary construction meaning to be careful in order to avoid something.
  • Take heed lest you fall.

Variants and Related Words

• Heed (verb/noun): The base form. As a verb: to pay attention to. As a noun: careful attention.
  • Verb: He did not heed my warning.
  • Noun: Pay heed to the instructions.
• Heedful (adjective): Paying careful attention.
  • She was heedful of the potential dangers.
• Heedless (adjective): Not paying attention; careless.
  • Heedless of the consequences, he proceeded.

Synonyms

• Pay attention: To listen to or watch carefully.
• Listen: To give attention with the ear.
• Mind: To be careful about or pay attention to (often used in commands).
• Note: To observe or notice carefully.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Take notice: To observe or pay attention to something.
  • People are finally taking notice of the issue.
• Pay heed to: A synonymous construction with "take heed of".
  • You must pay heed to the rules.

Related Idioms

• Give ear to: An older or more formal idiom meaning to listen attentively.
  • Give ear to the words of your elders.
• Lend an ear: To listen sympathetically or attentively.
  • She's always willing to lend an ear.

Verb

1. listen and pay attention
   • Listen to your father
   • We must hear the expert before we make a decision