Raise/lower your sights
phrase
To adjust expectations or goals, upward or downward, according to what seems achievable.
After years of unsuccessful job hunting, he lowered his sights and applied for lower-paying jobs.
Often appears as...
- lower your sights on ambitions
- raise your sights higher
phrase
In the context of shooting or archery, to physically adjust the aim of a weapon or bow up or down.
The hunter lowered his sights to aim at the smaller bird.
Often appears as...
- lower your sights to aim
- raise your sights in shooting
Usage tips
Technical
phrase
To adjust expectations or goals, upward or downward, according to what seems achievable.
After years of unsuccessful job hunting, he lowered his sights and applied for lower-paying jobs.
Often appears as...
- lower your sights on ambitions
- raise your sights higher
phrase
In the context of shooting or archery, to physically adjust the aim of a weapon or bow up or down.
The hunter lowered his sights to aim at the smaller bird.
Often appears as...
- lower your sights to aim
- raise your sights in shooting
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Expectation Adjustment
The phrase often indicates a change in one's aims due to new information or realities.
After the economic downturn, many companies had to lower their sights regarding profits.
Pro Tip 2/3Realistic Goals
Using this phrase can suggest someone is being more realistic about their abilities or opportunities.
Realizing he wasn't a strong swimmer, he lowered his sights and decided against competing in the race.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid Overconfidence
To 'raise your sights' can imply becoming too ambitious or overly confident about outcomes.
She raised her sights too high and was disappointed when she couldn't meet her goal.
Pro Tip 1/3Expectation Adjustment
The phrase often indicates a change in one's aims due to new information or realities.
After the economic downturn, many companies had to lower their sights regarding profits.
Pro Tip 2/3Realistic Goals
Using this phrase can suggest someone is being more realistic about their abilities or opportunities.
Realizing he wasn't a strong swimmer, he lowered his sights and decided against competing in the race.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid Overconfidence
To 'raise your sights' can imply becoming too ambitious or overly confident about outcomes.
She raised her sights too high and was disappointed when she couldn't meet her goal.
Pro Tip 1/3Expectation Adjustment
The phrase often indicates a change in one's aims due to new information or realities.
After the economic downturn, many companies had to lower their sights regarding profits.
Pro Tip 2/3Realistic Goals
Using this phrase can suggest someone is being more realistic about their abilities or opportunities.
Realizing he wasn't a strong swimmer, he lowered his sights and decided against competing in the race.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid Overconfidence
To 'raise your sights' can imply becoming too ambitious or overly confident about outcomes.
She raised her sights too high and was disappointed when she couldn't meet her goal.
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