take aim

Definitions

1. To position oneself and/or one's weapon so as to be aimed specifically at a chosen mark or target (which is indicated after 'at')
   intransitive
2. To direct criticism (towards).
   idiomatic

Equivalents

Examples

“He took aim at the prize bird meticulously and shot the cock from the distant flock with a single shot.”

“But then I had the [massive] flintlock by me for protection. ¶[…]The linen-press and a chest on the top of it formed, however, a very good gun-carriage; and, thus mounted, aim could be taken out of the window at the old mare feeding in the meadow below by the brook,[…].”

“He needed someone to blame⟳ for the bus accident, so took aim at the mechanics who failed to carry⟳ out the checks.”

CEFR level