angle

angle for something 

1. Lit. to fish for something, as with a fishhook and line. Fred was angling for a big bass. lam angling for whatever I can catch.

2. Fig. to scheme or plan to get something; to "fish" for something. She is just angling for a larger settlement from her former employer. Are you angling for a raise in pay?

angle off (to or toward something)

to turn or move toward something at an angle. The road angles off to the right. The sailboat angled off toward the direction the wind was blowing.

know all the angles

to know all the tricks and artifices of dealing with someone or something. Ask my accountant about taxes. He knows all the angles. Larry knows all the angles. That's how he keeps out of the slammer.

See also: know

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angle for something

to try to get or achieve something in an indirect way He's working as a consultant with several companies that are angling for business in Hong Kong.