English

Verb

set one's sights on

1. (idiomatic) To give one's close attention to, especially as a goal, objective, or other object of special interest.
   • 1984 Oct. 30, "Pocket of Atlanta Fights Developers," New York Times (retrieved 1 Aug 2015):

     Spurred by a real estate boom in which houses that sold for $15,000 just six years ago now sell for upwards of $150,000, the developers have set their sights on Cabbagetown.

   • 2006 Nov. 1, Steve Rosenbush, "Is a Google-Clear Channel deal at hand?," Businessweek (retrieved 1 Aug 2015):

     Google, known for its cutting-edge Internet software, may be setting its sights on the low-tech radio market.

   • 2008 June 27, "Blair Campaigns for Climate Action," Time (retrieved 1 Aug 2015):

     Blair has also set his sights on solving another insolvable problem during his retirement: climate change.

Usage notes

• Occasionally used without a possessive adjective, as in:

2007 Nov. 28, Jennifer 8. Lee, "Defending Rights, He Said He Was Marked to Die," New York Times (retrieved 1 Aug 2015):

Now the Colombian paramilitaries had set sights on him.