take aim

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aim

(ām)

v. aimed, aim·ing, aims

v.tr.

a. To direct (a weapon or camera) toward a point.

b. To direct or propel (an object, such as a ball) toward a point: aimed the pass at a wide receiver; aimed the shot at the lower right corner of the goal.

2. To direct toward or intend for a particular goal or group: The publicity campaign was aimed at improving the eating habits of children.

v.intr.

a. To direct a weapon or camera: The sniper aimed carefully.

b. To direct or propel an object toward a point: aimed for the far goalpost.

2. To determine a course or direct an effort: aim for a better education.

3. To propose to do something; intend: The historical society is aiming to restore the town hall.

a. The act of aiming: Take careful aim.

b. The ability to hit a target or intended point: a marksman with extraordinary aim.

c. The degree of accuracy of a weapon or of a person aiming a weapon or propelled object: Your aim was way off on that throw.

2. A purpose or intention toward which one's efforts are directed: My aim was to try to make him laugh. See Synonyms at intention.

Idiom:

take aim

1. To aim a weapon or object to be propelled.

2. To direct criticism or one's attention at something.

[Middle English aimen, from Old French esmer, to estimate (from Latin aestimāre) and from Old French aesmer (from Vulgar Latin *ad estimāre : Latin ad-, ad- + Latin aestimāre, to estimate).]

Synonyms: aim, direct, level, point, train
These verbs mean to turn something toward an intended goal or target: aimed the camera at the guests; directed our attention toward the screen; leveled criticism at the administration; pointing a finger at the suspect; trained the gun on the intruder. See Also Synonyms at intention.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Verb

take aim - point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards; "Please don't aim at your little brother!"; "He trained his gun on the burglar"; "Don't train your camera on the women"; "Take a swipe at one's opponent"

aim, train, direct, take

target, direct, aim, place, point - intend (something) to move towards a certain goal; "He aimed his fists towards his opponent's face"; "criticism directed at her superior"; "direct your anger towards others, not towards yourself"

draw a bead on - aim with a gun; "The hunter drew a bead on the rabbit"

hold - aim, point, or direct; "Hold the fire extinguisher directly on the flames"

turn - direct at someone; "She turned a smile on me"; "They turned their flashlights on the car"

swing - hit or aim at with a sweeping arm movement; "The soccer player began to swing at the referee"

point, level, charge - direct into a position for use; "point a gun"; "He charged his weapon at me"

level - aim at; "level criticism or charges at somebody"

position - cause to be in an appropriate place, state, or relation

sight - take aim by looking through the sights of a gun (or other device)

Translations

يُصَوِّب، يُسَدِّد

mířit

sigte

miîa, taka miî

nişan almak

aim

(eim) verb

1. (usually with at, ~for) to point or direct something at; to try to hit or reach etc. He picked up the rifle and aimed it at the target.

2. (with to, ~at) to plan, intend or to have as one's purpose. He aims at finishing tomorrow; We aim to please our customers.

noun

1. the act of or skill at aiming. His aim is excellent.

2. what a person intends to do. My aim is to become prime minister.

ˈaimless adjective

without purpose. an aimless life.

ˈaimlessly adverb

ˈaimlessness noun

take aim

to aim. He took aim at the target.

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References in classic literature ?

Hector and Ulysses measured the ground, and cast lots from a helmet of bronze to see which should take aim first.