target practice

USAGE SUMMARY

"target practice" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the activity of practicing one's aim or accuracy in hitting a designated target, such as in shooting or archery. Example: "The archery team spent the afternoon at the range, engaging in target practice to improve their skills before the upcoming competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Yes, he took target practice.

The New York Times

Swallows and swifts are mere target practice.

The Economist

And then there is the target practice.

The New York Times

They used the windows for target practice.

The New York Times

"In the city, that was target practice".

The New York Times

He was using a hired rifle for target practice.

The Guardian

She would like to take up target practice.

The Guardian - Books

For the Yankees, it was nine innings of target practice.

The New York Times - Sports

Winnie brought him an old air rifle for target practice.

The Guardian

But public education should not be used for target practice".

The New York Times

It would seem less like tennis than like target practice.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "target practice" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly establishes the analogy (e.g., "The politician felt like he was being used for target practice by the media").

Common error

Avoid using "target practice" in contexts where the negative connotation of being a victim is unintended. Choose a more neutral phrase like "learning opportunity" or "testing ground" if the aim is not to emphasize victimization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "target practice" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It refers to the activity of practicing shooting at a target. According to Ludwig, it’s a correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "target practice" is a common noun phrase used to describe the act of practicing shooting at a target or, metaphorically, being the focus of criticism. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts with a neutral register. While generally interchangeable with "shooting practice", "target practice" often implies a more structured setting. When employing it metaphorically, ensure the context clearly establishes the intended analogy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shooting practice

General term for practicing shooting skills.

practice shooting

Reverses the order of the original words.

marksmanship training

Focuses specifically on the training aspect of improving shooting skills.

firing range drills

Emphasizes the structured exercises conducted at a shooting range.

firearm drills

Emphasizes the use of firearms in structured practice.

weaponry practice

Broader term encompassing practice with various types of weapons.

gunnery training

Specific to training involving cannons or large firearms.

artillery drills

Refers to structured exercises with artillery weapons.

skills honing

Broader phrase for improving skills, not necessarily related to shooting.

skills enhancement

Another broad phrase for improving skills in any area.

FAQs

How can I use "target practice" in a sentence?

You can use "target practice" to describe the act of practicing shooting at a target, as in "The soldiers engaged in daily target practice". It can also be used metaphorically to describe someone being the focus of criticism, such as "The new policy became target practice for opposing parties".

What's a good alternative to "target practice" when referring to improving skills?

If you want to avoid the literal or negative connotations of "target practice", consider using alternatives like "skills honing", "skills enhancement", or "marksmanship training" if referring to shooting skills.

Which is correct: "target practice" or "practicing target"?

"Target practice" is the correct and idiomatic phrase. "Practicing target" is not commonly used and would sound awkward.

What is the difference between "target practice" and "shooting practice"?

While both phrases refer to practicing shooting, "target practice" often implies a more formal or structured setting with specific targets. "Shooting practice" can be a more general term. In most contexts, they are largely interchangeable.