Phrase guide

take aim

verb · 3 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 position oneself and/or one's weapon so as to be aimed specifically at a chosen mark or target (which is indicated after 'at')

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • He took aim at the prize bird meticulously and shot the cock from the distant flock with a single shot.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To direct criticism (towards).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • He needed someone to blame for the bus accident, so took aim at the mechanics who failed to carry out the checks.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • 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

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: aim, take, train, direct

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: position

Narrower terms: target, aim, place, direct, point, draw a bead on, hold, turn, swing, charge, level, sight

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

15 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 瞄準 /瞄准 (miáozhǔn) — position oneself and/or one's weapon
  • Dutch: mikken (op) — position oneself and/or one's weapon
  • Ido: vizar — position oneself and/or one's weapon
  • Italian: prendere di mira — position oneself and/or one's weapon
  • Italian: prendere la mira — position oneself and/or one's weapon
  • Korean: 겨누다 (gyeonuda) — position oneself and/or one's weapon
  • Romanian: ținti — position oneself and/or one's weapon
  • Romanian: ochi — position oneself and/or one's weapon
  • Russian: це́литься (célitʹsja) — position oneself and/or one's weapon
  • Russian: прице́ливаться (pricélivatʹsja) — position oneself and/or one's weapon
  • Russian: прице́литься (pricélitʹsja) — position oneself and/or one's weapon
  • Spanish: apuntar — position oneself and/or one's weapon
  • Tamil: குறிபார் (kuṟipār) — position oneself and/or one's weapon
  • Turkish: nişan almak — position oneself and/or one's weapon
  • Ottoman Turkish: نشانلامق (nişanlamak) — position oneself and/or one's weapon