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aim
aim at
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!
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.
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.
aim for
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!
2. To strive to accomplish a particular goal. After studying all weekend, Amanda is aiming for a perfect score on her history exam.
aim for the stars
Don't limit yourself—aspire to achieve greatness, even if it seems impossible or impractical. When choosing a career path, don't settle—aim for the stars!
aim to
To strive or plan to do something. I aim to be the best customer service representative I can be. I'm aiming to win Holly's heart—she is just the prettiest girl in the whole town.
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.
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]
aim at
v.1. To point or direct something at someone or something: The archers drew back their arrows and aimed at the target.
2. To intend something for some purpose. Often used in the passive: We aimed our discussion at a solution to the financial problems. The new computer classes are aimed at teaching how computers work.
3. To be intended to achieve something: This new program aims at raising awareness about privacy issues.
4. To do or say something intended to affect someone or something. Used chiefly in the passive: Their sarcasm was aimed directly at me. The antismoking campaign was aimed at teenagers.
aim for the sky
and reach for the sky and shoot for the sky in. to aspire to something; to set one’s goals high. (See a different sense at reach for the sky.) Shoot for the sky, son. Don’t settle for second best. Don’t settle for less. Reach for the sky!
reach for the sky
verbreach for the sky
1. Go to aim for the sky.
2. in. (a command) to put one’s hands up, as in a robbery. The bank teller reached for the sky without having to be told.
take aim
1. To aim a weapon or object to be propelled.
2. To direct criticism or one's attention at something.