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Glite Dictionary
to take aim

to take aim

31 3.5
Point a weapon, camera, or object at a target to get ready to use it
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : apuntar a
  • The soldier took aim at the target before firing his rifle.

And instead, the US government took aim at IBM and and AT&T; and attempted to break up both of these firms.

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Examples

  • You never get thirty seconds to get into stance, take aim, and shoot on the street.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • Right, okay, now, take aim.

    The White King (2016)

  • Here, take aim again, and...

    Hell of a Summer (2023)

  • Seth gets a clear shot; he takes aim and fires, hitting the vamp.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • Scofield's notes take aim at those who assert errors in the biblical text.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Picard waits a moment, then takes aim and tosses another pebble toward the root.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • With steady hands, she took aim at the bird with her camera.

  • Before launching the bow and arrow, he took aim at the bullseye.

Synonyms

to point
vsto take aim
537 2.9

To aim or face in a particular direction

focuses on preparing objects for action toward a target rather than mere direction
to hold
vsto take aim
266 2.7

To point something toward a target

is about getting ready to act rather than only keeping a device steady
to direct
vsto take aim
245 1.8

To point something like light or attention at a target

is more about physical preparation of objects for action than guiding attention
to aim at
vsto take aim
239 2.3

Try to reach a goal

describes physical preparation of objects toward a target, not just intention
to train
vsto take aim
45 4.9

To point a weapon, camera, or light at something

prepares objects by pointing them at a target in readiness for action
to sight
vsto take aim
19 7.9

To look through a gun's device to aim at something

prepares objects by pointing them at a target in readiness for action
to take aim at
vsto take aim
18 4.1

Direct attention, effort, or criticism toward a target

focuses on pointing objects at a target in preparation for action, not abstract targeting
to take a bead on
vsto take aim
8.7

To carefully aim at or watch a target

prepares broadly to act rather than making very careful alignment
to draw a bead on
vsto take aim
8.2

Pay close attention to a person, goal, or problem

prepares broadly to act rather than only focusing attention or fire
to have (something) in one's sights
vsto take aim
5.3

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

means preparing objects to act toward a target, not only planning goals

How Precise

to zero in
63 4.7
to point
537 2.9
to take aim
31 3.5
to line up
115 2.6

Surface Forms

take aim infinitive
taking aim present participle
takes aim third person singular
took aim past
taken aim past participle

Morphology

take + aim

The meaning 'to point a weapon, camera, or object at a target in preparation for action' is directly derivable from combining 'take' (assume/bring into a state) with 'aim' (directing toward a target). This verb + noun composition follows a common, cross-linguistic pattern so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would likely infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Take aim comes from the clear picture of someone lifting a gun or camera and lining up the sight with a target before acting. To take your aim is to get ready to point, so it means 'to point a weapon, camera, or object at a target or goal in preparation for action'.