sharp aim

USAGE SUMMARY

'sharp aim' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a specific type of precise aim or goal that one has in mind. For example, "He showed very sharp aim when he made his shot, sinking the basketball in the hoop from the three-point line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Her quick thinking and sharp aim stopped an armed robbery or worse," Mr. Bloomberg said.

The New York Times

But he has taken sharp aim at her record as Alaska governor, vigorously questioning her evolving stance on the state's so-called bridge to nowhere.

The New York Times

Donald Trump outlined an economic vision for the US on Monday, including dramatically slashing taxes, and took sharp aim at Hillary Clinton in an attempt to reset a campaign recently flogged by a series of controversies.

The Guardian

In "Justice Breyer's Sharp Aim" (Op-Ed, Dec. 22), Pauline Maier offers an excellent critique of the assault on our Constitution by five conservative justices of the Supreme Court as they distort the meaning of the Second Amendment.

The New York Times

A documentary that takes sharp aim at the use of extracting oil through hydraulic fracturing premieres tonight at showings in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and the title makes it clear where the filmmakers are pointing their critique.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Mass production starts as early as June 10, with Sharp aiming at putting out 100,000 units monthly.

TechCrunch

Kyocera plans to raise output from 30 to 72 megawatts, and Sharp aims to boost production from 30 to 54 megawatts.

Forbes

Kyocera plans to raise output from 30 to 72 megawatts, and Sharp aims to boost its production from 30 to 54 megawatts.

Forbes

Sharp aims to clock a time below two minutes for the 800m, adding: "Everyone says that if you keep that number in your head then it's not going to happen.

BBC

With Recurrent, Sharp aims to become a total solution company in the photovoltaic field, extending from developing and producing solar cells and modules to developing and marketing power generation plants.

TechCrunch

According to the Nikkei, Sharp aims at optimizing use of their new plant through the cooperation, while Philips tries to cut production costs for their TVs and wants to reach break even in that segment next year.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In literal contexts, such as sports or mechanics, ensure the modifier 'sharp' is not confused with 'sharp objects'.

Common error

Do not use 'precisely sharp aim' as 'sharp' already implies a high degree of precision in this context. Use one or the other to maintain a lean writing style.

Linguistic Context

In the phrase "sharp aim", the word sharp acts as an adjective modifying the noun aim. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It is typically used to characterize the quality of an intention or a literal shot. In many examples, it appears after the verb 'take', forming the collocated expression 'take sharp aim at'.

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "sharp aim" is a correct and effective phrase used to describe precise focus and calculated intent. While Ludwig AI classifies its exact occurrence as relatively rare compared to simpler phrases, its presence in high-authority sources like The New York Times and The Guardian highlights its utility in sophisticated writing. It is most frequently used metaphorically in political or social commentary to describe a critique that is both accurate and biting. Whether you are describing an athlete's physical prowess or a politician's pointed rhetoric, using "sharp aim" conveys a sense of mastery and deliberate action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precise goal

Shifts from the act of aiming to the specific outcome desired.

pointed focus

Emphasizes concentration and direction rather than the target itself.

keen objective

Uses a more intellectual synonym for sharp to describe a strategic intention.

surgical precision

A more clinical and intense way to describe extreme accuracy.

exact intention

Focuses on the mental clarity behind the action.

deadly accuracy

Often used in literal contexts or highly aggressive metaphorical ones.

shrewd ambition

Highlights the cleverness or calculated nature of the target.

direct target

Simplifies the phrase by focusing on the recipient of the action.

clear sight

Focuses on the visual or perceptual aspect of aiming.

narrow scope

Refers to the range of the aim rather than the quality of the aim itself.

FAQs

How do I use "sharp aim" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe both physical accuracy and rhetorical precision. For example, 'The journalist took "sharp aim" at the policy's inconsistencies' or 'Her "sharp aim" won her the archery competition'.

What is the difference between "sharp aim" and "precise target"?

"Sharp aim" refers to the skill or action of the person aiming, whereas "precise target" refers to the object being aimed at.

Is "sharp aim" a common idiom?

While not a formal idiom, it is a very common metaphorical expression in News & Media to describe focused criticism or calculated actions.

Can I say "aim sharp" instead?

Yes, "aim sharp" can be used as a verb-adverb pairing, though it is less common than the noun phrase form.