taking aim

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taking aim" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of directing attention or focus towards a specific target or goal, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The team is taking aim at improving their sales figures for the next quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Taking Aim: 30-Year Anniversary Exhibition".

The New York Times

Other exchanges are taking aim at SPACs.

The New York Times

It even seemed to be taking aim.

The New York Times

They're also taking aim at your wallet.

The Washington Post

Well Huggly, by taking aim at President Obama, you are taking aim at the wrong institution.

University of California, Berkeley

Mr. Rumsfeld was apparently taking aim at European donors.

The New York Times

And they're not the only ones taking aim this autumn.

The Guardian - Sport

Now the Trump Administration is taking aim at such policies.

The New Yorker

Taking aim at Generation X had its own difficulties.

The New York Times

Now it is taking aim at K Street as well.

The New York Times

Dickens was taking aim at the Poor Law.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the preposition "at" follows the phrase when a specific target is mentioned, as in "taking aim at the new policy".

Common error

Do not use "taking aim to" when you mean "taking aim at". While "aiming to" followed by a verb is correct for intentions, "taking aim" is an idiomatic expression that requires the preposition "at" before a noun or entity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking aim" functions as a progressive idiomatic verb phrase. According to Ludwig, it is typically used to indicate an ongoing action of directing focus or hostility toward a specific subject. It often serves as the predicate of a sentence describing strategic maneuvers or critical rhetoric.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Social Media

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "taking aim" is a robust and versatile idiom that has successfully transitioned from its literal roots in weaponry to become a staple of modern English journalism and business discourse. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically Correct and highly effective for describing targeted actions, especially in adversarial or competitive contexts. Whether used to describe a politician criticizing an opponent or a corporation entering a new market, the phrase adds a layer of intentionality and precision to the narrative. Writers should favor this expression when they want to highlight a focused effort, while being mindful to pair it with the preposition "at" for maximum clarity. The high frequency of the phrase in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its status as a reliable tool for professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

targeting

More direct and commonly used in business or technical contexts

focusing on

Less aggressive and emphasizes concentration of effort

zeroing in on

Suggests a narrowing of focus toward a specific point

addressing

More formal and often used when dealing with problems or issues

criticizing

Specifically denotes the negative or adversarial aspect of the phrase

singling out

Emphasizes the selection of one specific subject from a group

challenging

Suggests a more confrontational or competitive relationship

scrutinizing

Focuses on the detailed examination of the subject

confronting

Implies a direct face-to-face opposition

directing attention to

A more neutral and descriptive alternative

FAQs

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

You can use it to describe focusing on a target, such as: "The company is "taking aim at" its competitors with a new marketing strategy".

What is a more formal way to say "taking aim"?

In formal or academic writing, you might prefer "addressing", "targeting" or "focusing exclusively on".

Is "taking aim" only used for weapons?

No, while it has a literal origin in archery or shooting, it is most frequently used metaphorically in news and business to describe criticism, legal action or strategic competition.

What is the difference between "taking aim" and "aiming"?

While "aiming" simply describes the intent, "taking aim" implies a more active, deliberate and often adversarial process of preparation before an action is taken.