Meaning & use
achieve a milestone
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
To successfully reach an important stage or event in a process or project.
Grammar: Often used with 'have' or 'be': 'We have achieved a milestone.' It takes an object: 'achieve a milestone'.
Patterns
- achieve a milestone in something
- achieve an important milestone
- achieve a major milestone
The team achieved a major milestone when the first prototype was completed.
She achieved an important milestone in her career by becoming a manager.
After months of training, he finally achieved the milestone of running a full marathon.
Common combinations
- achieve a major milestone
- The company achieved a major milestone with the launch of its new app.
- achieve an important milestone
- Learning to read is an important milestone that children achieve at different ages.
- achieve a milestone in
- Scientists achieved a milestone in cancer research this year.
- a significant milestone
- Graduating from college is a significant milestone for many young people.
Synonyms and how they differ
- reach a milestone
- Very similar, but 'reach' often emphasizes arriving at the point, while 'achieve' emphasizes the effort and success.
- hit a milestone
- More informal and common in business talk; 'achieve' sounds a little more formal and deliberate.
Word family
- achievement noun
- Something important that you succeed in doing, often after effort.
- achievable adjective
- Able to be done or reached successfully.
Commonly confused: achieve a milestone or millstone?
achieve a milestone vs millstone
A millstone is a heavy stone used for grinding grain; 'milestone' is a significant event or stage.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'achieve a milestone' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The phrase 'achieve a milestone' is followed by 'by + -ing' to explain how it was done. The other options use incorrect prepositions or verb forms after 'milestone'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “achieve a milestone”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.