aim at (someone or something)
1. To point or guide an object, such as a weapon, at a target. Make sure you aim at the target before you pull the trigger. His water balloon is aimed at you! Run! How did my arrow end up all the way over here? I aimed at the bullseye!
2. To target a particular issue or goal. The new program is aimed at helping struggling students get the tutoring they need to succeed in class. The Environmental Protection Agency and similar organizations around the globe have been negotiating new legislation aimed at curbing the effects of climate change. Please tell me that the mayor's new initiative is aimed at cleaning up all this trash and beautifying the city.
3. To direct something at a specific person or group. I could tell that his rude remarks were aimed at me even though he did not mention my name. The studio's ad campaign is aiming at teenagers, but I think the movie is too violent for a young audience. The weekly seminar is aimed at giving mothers-to-be some practical information about childbirth and the early days thereafter.
aim for (someone or something)
1. To point or guide an object, such as a weapon, at a target. Make sure you aim for the target before you pull the trigger. His water balloon is aimed for you! Run! How did my arrow end up all the way over here? I aimed for the bullseye!
2. To strive to accomplish a particular goal. After studying all weekend, Amanda is aiming for a perfect score on her history exam. What sales goal are we aiming for this quarter? Of course I'm aiming for straight A's this semester—my parents don't want me slacking off, even if it is senior year.
aim for the sky
To set one's goals or ambitions very high; to try to attain or achieve something particularly difficult. My parents always taught me to aim for the sky when I was growing up—that I could be anything I set my mind to! With all that money, you could do whatever you want. Aim for the sky, kiddo! When choosing a career path, don't settle—aim for the sky!
aim for the stars
To set one's goals or ambitions very high; to try to attain or achieve something particularly difficult. When choosing a career path, don't settle—aim for the stars! My parents always taught me to aim for the stars when I was growing up—that I could be anything I set my mind to! With all that money, you could do whatever you want. Aim for the stars, kiddo!
aim to (do something)
To intend, plan, or mean to do something. I didn't aim to offend him, but judging by the look on his face, I must have. I'm aiming to win Holly's heart—she is just the prettiest girl in the whole town. I aim to be the best customer service representative I can be.
dead aim
1. Precise aim directly at one's target. The gunslinger took dead aim and shot the hat right off the other man's head. The soccer star is known for her dead aim and can sink the ball into the corner of the net from midfield. A: "I swear, I took dead aim at the bull's eye!" B: "Then how did your arrow end up in the tree next to it."
2. Focused attention on and determination to achieve something. The athlete has taken dead aim on the current world record for shotput. The young political star now has dead aim on winning the governorship. You better look out, because when I take dead aim on something, I can't be stopped.
reach for the sky
1. To set one's goals or ambitions very high; to try to attain or achieve something particularly difficult. My parents always taught me to reach for the sky when I was growing up—that I could be anything I set my mind to! With all that money, you could do whatever you want. Reach for the sky, kiddo!
2. A command for one to put one's hands up in a show of surrender, as during a robbery or an arrest. Reach for the sky, MacAfee, we've got you surrounded!
ready, fire, aim
humorous The prioritization of action over careful planning. A play on the expression "ready, aim, fire," which urges one to prepare oneself before firing a weapon and, by extension, taking action. All of our hard work will be for nothing if our competitors beat us in getting their products to the market first. That's why we need a ready, fire, aim mindset right now. Someone needs to force her to make a decision so we can finally get the production process started. Let's go—ready, fire, aim!
take aim (at someone or something
1. To aim one's projectile weapon at someone or something. The sniper took aim and fired off a single shot, killing the suspect instantly. He had just begun to take aim at the deer when the sound of a car horn scared it away.
2. To direct severe criticism or scorn at someone or something. The president took aim at the Russian president during her speech. You really need to double-check your sources before you take aim like that in the future.
take dead aim
1. To aim precisely and directly at one's target. The gunslinger took dead aim and shot the hat right off the other man's head. The golfer managed to take dead aim from over 300 yards away and sink the ball in the hole.
2. To focus one's attention and determination on something, often that which one wishes to achieve or obtain. The athlete has taken dead aim on the current world record for shotput. The young political star is now taking dead aim on winning the governorship.
we aim to please
cliché Your satisfaction as a customer is the main priority of our business. Often used humorously, sarcastically, or satirically (in which case "we" can be replaced with a different pronoun). You can be sure to great service every time, because here at Donovan & Son, we aim to please. A: "Wow. Thanks for doing, like, the bare minimum of what I asked." B: "Hey, I aim to please."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
aim for something
and aim at somethingto strive toward a particular goal; to direct oneself or one's energies toward something. You should aim for success. Aim at getting this done on time.
Aim for the stars!
and Reach for the stars!Aspire to something!; Set one's goals high! Aim for the stars, son! Don't settle for second best. Set your sights high. Reach for the stars!
aim something at someone or something
to point or direct something at someone or something. Wally aimed the hose at Sarah and tried to soak her.
aim to do something
Rur. to intend to do something. I didn't aim to hurt your feelings, sugar, you know I didn't.
reach for the sky
1. and aim for the sky; shoot for the sky Fig. to set one's sights high. Reach for the sky! Go for it! You should always reach for the sky, but be prepared for not attaining your goals every time.
2. Fig. Inf. to put one's hands up, as in a burglary. The gunman told the bank teller to reach for the sky. Reach for the sky and give me all your money!
take aim at someone or something
Fig. to prepare to deal with someone or something; to focus on someone or something. (Based on take aim (at someone, something, or an animal).) Now we have to take aim at the problem and try to get it solved. The critics took aim at the star of the musical and tore her to pieces.
take aim (at someone, something, or an animal)
to aim [something] at someone, something, or an animal. The hunter took aim at the deer and pulled the trigger. You must take aim carefully before you shoot.
We aim to please.
Fig. We try hard to please you. (Usually a commercial slogan, but can be said in jest by one person, often in response to Thank you.) Mary: This meal is absolutely delicious! Waiter: We aim to please. Tom: Well, Sue, here's the laundry detergent you wanted from the store. Sue: Oh, thanks loads. You saved me a trip. Tom: We aim to please.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
aim to
Try or intend to do something, as in We aim to please, or She aims to fly to California. This term derives from aim in the sense of "direct the course of something," such as an arrow or bullet. [Colloquial; c. 1600]
reach for the sky
1. Set very high goals, aspire to the best, as in
I'm sure they'll make you a partner, so reach for the sky. The
sky here stands for high aspirations. Also see
sky's the limit.
2. Put your hands up high, as in One robber held the teller at gunpoint, shouting " Reach for the sky!" This usage is always put as an imperative. [Slang; mid-1900s]
take aim
Direct a missile or criticism at something or someone, as in Raising his rifle, Chet took aim at the squirrel but missed it entirely, or In his last speech the President took aim at the opposition leader. [Late 1500s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.