take aim

USAGE SUMMARY

"take aim" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone or something is preparing to take a shot or attempt something. For example, "She took aim and fired her arrow at the target."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Your snipers take aim.

The New Yorker

Then they take aim.

The Guardian

Otherwise: take aim and fire.

The Guardian - Music

California legislators take aim at baby sitters.

The New York Times

When Slovakia did take aim, Casillas saved.

The Guardian - Sport

"I propose we pause and take aim before we fire".

The New York Times

So why not take aim at obesity directly?

The New York Times

There is very little time to take aim.

The New York Times

You take aim, fire and a door opens.

The Guardian

The two remaining ads take aim at stereotypical bank practices.

The New York Times

Who will Trump take aim at this time?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Leverage the figurative power of "take aim" to add a sense of purpose or intentionality to your writing in business or political contexts.

Common error

Do not insert an article like "a" or "the" between the words; writing "take an aim" is non-standard and considered incorrect in modern English usage. Keep the phrase as a fixed unit: "take aim".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take aim" functions as an intransitive verb phrase or a transitive one when followed by the preposition "at". In the examples provided by Ludwig, it serves as an action-oriented expression indicating preparation for a targeted effort. Ludwig AI classifies it as a standard and correct phrase, noting its utility in both physical and metaphorical descriptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science & Research

15%

Reference

5%

Less common in

Social Media

3%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take aim" is a robust and essential part of the English lexicon, used to describe the act of targeting. While its origins are literal—stemming from the use of weaponry—its modern application is predominantly figurative. According to Ludwig AI and the extensive data from sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, it is most frequently used to describe political critiques, business competition and scientific focus. Writers should remember to use the preposition "at" when specifying a target and avoid the common mistake of inserting an article to create "take an aim". Overall, it remains a powerful tool for adding precision and intent to one's prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set one's sights on

Focuses more on a long-term goal or ambition rather than a momentary action.

zero in on

Emphasizes the precision and narrowing of focus toward a specific point.

target

A more direct and concise verb that can be used in both literal and figurative senses.

train one's sights on

Carries a stronger military or technical connotation of aligning an instrument.

level criticism at

Restricted specifically to the figurative meaning of directing disapproval.

focus on

A neutral alternative that lacks the aggressive or competitive edge of the original phrase.

point at

Focuses on the physical direction rather than the preparation or intent to act.

address

A formal alternative used when dealing with an issue or person directly.

fixate on

Suggests a higher degree of obsession or singular focus than the standard phrase.

direct attention toward

A descriptive alternative that removes the weaponry metaphor entirely.

FAQs

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

You can use "take aim" to show someone is targeting something, such as: "The archer stopped to "take aim" before releasing the string."

What is the figurative meaning of "take aim"?

Figuratively, it means to direct criticism or specific attention toward something. For example, a journalist might "take aim at" government corruption.

Should I say "take aim at" or "take aim on"?

The standard and most frequent construction is "take aim at". While "take aim on" is occasionally seen in specific sports contexts, "take aim at" is the preferred choice for all formal writing.

What can I say instead of "take aim"?

Depending on your context, you can use phrases like "zero in on", "set one's sights on", or simply "target".