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to set a target

to set a target

1 3.2
Decide on a clear goal to reach
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : establecer un objetivo
  • The government has set a target for renewable resources to contribute 40% of total electricity generation by 2020.

Examples

  • A politically diverse group of experts recently set a target of $25 billion a year in federal spending on research and development (some of which could come from phasing out ineffective programs).

    Blog text (5)
  • Before starting on a program of walking, set a target that is realistic.

    Blog text (7)
  • The Prime Minister set a target that urgent cancer referrals should receive their first treatment within two months.

  • The Oil Ministry has set a target of securing 60 million tons of oil and gas assets abroad by 2025.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Before starting a fitness program, it is important to set a target for your weight loss goals.

  • The project manager decided to set a target for completing the new software by December.

  • To improve your writing skills, you should set a target of reading one book each month.

Synonyms

to aim at
vsto set a target
239 2.3

Try to reach a goal

selects a distinct goal instead of only directing effort at it
to aim
vsto set a target
234 1.0

To plan to do something to reach a goal

chooses a specific goal rather than keeping a general purpose
to aim for
vsto set a target
79 2.8

To try to reach a goal

identifies a specific objective rather than only working toward results
to shoot for
vsto set a target
  • Informal
30 3.9

To try to reach a big, difficult goal

chooses a specific goal without the added sense of difficulty
5.3

Plan to get something you want, like a job or prize

decides on a specific goal rather than merely intending to reach it

Antonyms

401 3.8

Stop supporting an idea or plan

256 3.8

Fail to care for someone or something you should look after

How Ambitious

to aim high
5 3.9
to set a target
1 3.2
to aim for
79 2.8
to lower one's sights
  • Informal
1 6.9

Surface Forms

set a target infinitive
set a target past participle
setting a target present participle
sets a target third person singular

Morphology

set + a + target

The meaning 'to decide on a specific goal' is directly and compositionally derived from 'set' (to fix or determine) + 'target' (planned objective); the article 'a' is a neutral function word. This verb + object pattern is common cross-linguistically and would be immediately comprehensible to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.

Etymology

Set a target comes from aiming in shooting or archery: you put a target in place and then set your aim before you shoot. So to set a target today means to choose a clear 'goal' you want to reach.