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Glite Dictionary
to have (something) in one's sights

to have (something) in one's sights

5.3
Plan to get something you want, like a job or prize
  • idiom
translation icon : tener en la mira
  • With the gold medal in his sights, the runner trained harder than ever before.

Examples

  • They have expansion to Europe in their sights for the next quarter.

  • She worked hard all year, keeping the promotion in her sights the entire time.

  • The team has winning the championship in their sights this season.

  • With a new strategy in place, the company finally has growth in its sights.

  • She has getting a promotion in her sights after completing her training.

Synonyms

to aim at
vsto have (something) in one's sights
239 2.3

Try to reach a goal

focuses on planning for a chosen objective rather than only directing effort
to aim
vsto have (something) in one's sights
234 1.0

To plan to do something to reach a goal

is the idiomatic phrase that emphasizes choosing a particular objective
to aspire
vsto have (something) in one's sights
106 4.1

To want very much to achieve an important goal

involves intending or planning for a goal rather than only wanting it
to aim for
vsto have (something) in one's sights
79 2.8

To try to reach a goal

is about planning to reach a goal rather than just working hard
to take aim
vsto have (something) in one's sights
31 3.5

Point a weapon, camera, or object at a target to get ready to use it

concerns planning to achieve a goal rather than physically pointing at something
to shoot for
vsto have (something) in one's sights
  • Informal
30 3.9

To try to reach a big, difficult goal

is broader, applying to goals of any difficulty rather than only ambitious ones
to aim high
vsto have (something) in one's sights
5 3.9

Try to reach very difficult goals

is neutral about how ambitious the planned objective may be
to shoot for the stars
vsto have (something) in one's sights
  • Informal
2 4.7

Try to reach a very high and difficult goal

expresses planning for a goal but without the extreme ambition implied here
to set a target
vsto have (something) in one's sights
1 3.2

Decide on a clear goal to reach

is more about general planning and aiming at an objective rather than naming it
to pursue a dream
vsto have (something) in one's sights
1 3.0

Work to make a dream come true

stresses planning or intending a goal rather than the long personal effort

Antonyms

to give up
∞ 1.2

To stop trying to do something or accept defeat

How Determined

determined
399 2.5
to aim for
79 2.8
to have (something) in one's sights
5.3
plan
∞ 1.0
to consider
∞ 1.1

Surface Forms

have (something) in one's sights infinitive
had (something) in one's sights past
had (something) in one's sights past participle
having (something) in one's sights present participle
has (something) in one's sights third person singular

Morphology

have + (something) + in + one + sight

The phrase maps the literal idea of something being within visual range or the sights of a weapon onto a target-to-be-achieved, so a learner who knows 'have', 'in', 'one's' and 'sight' can often infer a sense of targeting or aiming. This is a metaphorical extension common across languages and partly predictable, but it still requires metaphorical mapping rather than purely compositional interpretation, so it is not fully transparent.

Etymology

The phrase have (something) in one's sights comes from the image of looking through a gun or telescope and seeing a target clearly in your sights. If something is in your sights, you mean to hit or reach it, so the phrase means 'to aim for' or 'to plan to achieve' a goal.