aiming for

Meanings

1. 1phrasephrasal verb

   Trying to achieve a particular goal or result.

   Grammar: Followed by a noun or noun phrase: aiming for success. It is the -ing form of 'aim for'.

   Patterns

   • aiming for something
   • be aiming for a goal
   • aiming for the top

   After months of training, she is aiming for a place in the national team.

   The company is aiming for a ten percent increase in sales this year.

2. 2phrasephrasal verb

   Pointing a weapon or object at a target.

   Grammar: Used literally with weapons, cameras, etc.: aiming for the target.

   Patterns

   • aiming for a target
   • aiming for the goal

   The archer stood still, aiming for the center of the target.

   He raised the camera, aiming for the bird in the tree.

Common combinations

aiming for a goal

The team is aiming for a goal in the final minutes.

aiming for success

She is aiming for success in her new career.

aiming for the top

He is aiming for the top of his profession.

aiming for a promotion

After two years, she is aiming for a promotion.

Synonyms and how they differ

striving for

Striving for suggests working very hard over time, while aiming for is more neutral about effort.

targeting

Targeting is often used in business or marketing for a specific group or result, whereas aiming for is more general.

Word family

aim verb

To try to achieve something or point a weapon.

aim noun

A goal or purpose.

aimless adjective

Without a clear goal or purpose.

Commonly confused: aiming for or aiming at?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “aiming for”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words