Phrase guide

set one's cap at

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To choose a man as a potential husband (for a girl).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To choose something as a goal.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly, idiomatic

Examples

  • Patrick O'Brian, "HMS Surprise". How he has escaped marriage until now I cannot tell: the number of caps set in his direction would furnish a warehouse.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Probably a calque of French mettre le cap sur (“to set a course for”).

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Polish: wybierać kandydata na męża — to choose a man as a potential husband for a girl
  • Polish: wybrać kandydata na męża — to choose a man as a potential husband for a girl
  • Russian: положить глаз pf на кого-либо (položitʹ glaz) — to choose a man as a potential husband for a girl
  • Polish: obierać za cel — to choose something as a goal
  • Polish: obrać za cel — to choose something as a goal
  • Russian: положить глаз pf на кого-либо (položitʹ glaz) — to choose something as a goal
  • Russian: нв что-либо — to choose something as a goal