draw a bead on (someone or something)
1. To aim at someone or something with the sights on a firearm. I managed to draw a bead on the enemy sniper, but had to wait until I received the order to fire. No, his movements are too erratic—I can't draw a bead on him without endangering passersby. Draw a bead on the animal and then fire!
2. By extension, to focus one's attention on someone or something so as to deal with or attack him, her, or it. The candidate drew a bead on his opponent's poor political record in the UN during the debate. The president has pledged to draw a bead on the growing problem of adolescent obesity. We need to draw a bead on truancy in the school district before it spirals totally out of control.
3. To thoroughly understand, appreciate, or comprehend someone or something. The team just has to draw a bead on the severity of the cyber attack before we can implement any meaningful fixes. I couldn't get my head around him at first, but I'm finally starting to draw a bead on my sister's boyfriend. You've played this game, right? I'm still trying to draw a bead on the wizard's mysterious comments.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
draw a bead on someone/something
or take a bead on someone/something
mainly AMERICANIf you draw a bead on a target, you aim your weapon at it. He had entered my office with a loaded gun and had drawn a bead on my heart. The small pale eyes squeezed shut as if he were taking a bead on her. Note: The bead is the small marker on top of the end of the barrel on some guns, which is used to aim at the target.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012