target yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "target yourself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is advised to focus on their own goals, actions, or self-improvement. Example: "In order to achieve your personal best, you need to target yourself and set specific goals for improvement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Measuring patterns of censorship brings its own risks: If you repeatedly check whether "objectionable" content is being blocked, you risk becoming a target yourself.

The New York Times

To be an American reporter in Iraq, any kind of American, is not just to be a target yourself, but it is to make a target of others, too.

The New York Times

Not only will Google now target ads at you based on your interest, but it will also let you target yourself.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"You don't wear what the drug dealers wear or you're targeting yourself".

The New York Times

If what you want to observe doesn't rise until halfway through the night, try to come up with some earlier targets yourself or ask some of the veteran observers if there are objects they'd like to get data on.

Columbia University

If you are setting up the targets yourself, know what lies beyond them.

WikiHow

Don't mark yourself as a robbery target.

HuffPost

It's true that his reign may have become increasingly at odds with Radio 1's desire to position itself as a youth station, but being outside a target demographic yourself does not make you unable to communicate with that audience.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Set a savings target for yourself.

BBC

But it's still probably not a great idea to draw a target on yourself with an identifying sticker.

Vice

Make a target for yourself.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone to set personal objectives, use "target yourself" to emphasize the importance of internal focus and self-improvement. It's particularly effective in contexts where individuals need to prioritize their own goals over external pressures.

Common error

Avoid using "target yourself" when the intended meaning is to set a target in general, rather than to direct the targeting action towards oneself. Ensure the sentence structure clearly indicates that the subject is both the actor and the recipient of the targeting action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "target yourself" functions as a reflexive construction, where the action of targeting is directed back to the subject. It's used to advise or instruct someone to focus their efforts, goals, or attention on themselves. Ludwig confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "target yourself" is a reflexive construction that encourages focusing on one's own goals and self-improvement. As Ludwig highlights, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English, though relatively rare. It appears in various contexts, including news articles, wikis, and academic materials. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates that the action of targeting is directed back to the subject to avoid potential misinterpretations. Alternative phrases like "focus on yourself" or "set goals for yourself" can provide similar meanings with potentially greater clarity in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Focus on yourself

Emphasizes concentrating on one's own needs and goals.

Concentrate on your own efforts

Highlights directing one's energy and attention toward personal endeavors.

Set goals for yourself

Implies establishing personal objectives and working toward them.

Prioritize your well-being

Focuses specifically on making one's health and happiness a primary concern.

Take care of yourself

Focuses on personal well-being and self-care.

Invest in yourself

Suggests dedicating resources (time, money, effort) to personal growth and development.

Improve yourself

Focuses on personal development and self-betterment.

Work on your own projects

Implies dedicating time and effort to personal projects.

Direct your energy inward

Suggests focusing one's mental and physical energy on internal matters.

Be self-reliant

Highlights the importance of depending on oneself.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "target yourself" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "focus on yourself" or "prioritize your efforts". These alternatives convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "target yourself"?

Use "target yourself" when you want to emphasize directing focus, efforts, or goals towards oneself. This is suitable when advising someone to concentrate on personal development, setting individual objectives, or prioritizing their own needs.

What's the difference between "target yourself" and "set a target for yourself"?

"Target yourself" implies directing action and focus inward, whereas "set a target for yourself" refers to establishing specific goals or objectives. The former is about internal direction, while the latter is about goal setting.

Are there situations where "target yourself" might be misunderstood?

Yes, "target yourself" could be misunderstood if the context doesn't clearly indicate that the action is reflexive. To avoid confusion, ensure the sentence structure leaves no ambiguity about who is performing the action and who is the recipient of it. Otherwise, a more explicit phrase such as "focus on your own goals" might be preferable.