also: じぼく
noun
eyes and ears; seeing and hearing
Refers literally to the organs or faculties of sight and hearing, often in contexts of observation or sensory input.
耳目を疑うような光景だった。
It was a sight that made me doubt my own eyes and ears.
この装置は人間の耳目を模倣している。
This device mimics human eyes and ears.
noun
Used figuratively for public attention or notice, often in phrases like 耳目を集める (attract attention) or 耳目を引く (catch one's eye/ear).
その事件は世間の耳目を集めた。
The incident attracted public attention.
彼の新作は多くの耳目を引いている。
His new work is drawing a lot of interest.
Compound of 耳 (ear) and 目 (eye), literally 'ears and eyes'. The figurative sense of 'attention' derives naturally from the idea of people's ears and eyes being directed toward something.