Collocations for target - noun
1. sb/sth that you try to destroy, hurt, steal, etc.
ADJ.
favourite, likely, natural, obvious, perfect, possible, potential, prime, suitable
The prime minister is a favourite target of comedians.
The prime minister is a favourite target of comedians.
easy, sitting, soft, tempting, vulnerable
The stationary trucks were sitting targets for the enemy planes.
The stationary trucks were sitting targets for the enemy planes.
legitimate | intended |
stationary | moving | ground |
stationary | moving | ground |
military | civilian, non-military | terrorist
VERB + TARGET
aim at, attack, go for, shoot at | hit, reach (used of a missile)
The bomb reached its intended target ten seconds later.
The bomb reached its intended target ten seconds later.
miss, overshoot
The flare overshot its target and set light to a hotel.
The flare overshot its target and set light to a hotel.
destroy
The missile is aimed specifically to destroy military targets.
The missile is aimed specifically to destroy military targets.
track
The radar beam can track a number of targets almost simultaneously.
The radar beam can track a number of targets almost simultaneously.
PREP.
off ~
The missile veered way off target and landed in the sea.
The missile veered way off target and landed in the sea.
on ~
Politically speaking, his jibes were right on target.
Politically speaking, his jibes were right on target.
~ for
an easy target for shoplifters
an easy target for shoplifters
2. object that you shoot at
VERB + TARGET
put up, set up
The archers were setting up their targets.
The archers were setting up their targets.
aim at, shoot at | hit | miss | use sth as
The boys used an old tree stump as a target.
The boys used an old tree stump as a target.
TARGET + NOUN
area | practice
PREP.
off ~
Patton was just off target with a header.
Patton was just off target with a header.
on ~
His first shot was bang on target.
His first shot was bang on target.
wide of the ~
The shot went wide of the target.
The shot went wide of the target.
3. result, person, etc. that you aim to reach
ADJ.
achievable, attainable, low, modest, realistic | ambitious, demanding, difficult, high, tough, unrealistic
She has always set herself very high targets.
She has always set herself very high targets.
impossible | clear | chief, key, main, major, primary, prime, principal | annual | immediate, initial | future, long-term, ultimate | attainment, economic, financial, growth, inflation, performance, production, profit, recruitment, sales, spending
VERB + TARGET
set
Managers must set targets that are realistic.
Managers must set targets that are realistic.
aim for
Pupils should be given a target to aim for.
Pupils should be given a target to aim for.
achieve, meet, reach | stay within
in a desperate attempt to stay within budget targets
in a desperate attempt to stay within budget targets
exceed
The company pays bonuses to workers who exceed production targets.
The company pays bonuses to workers who exceed production targets.
fall short of
TARGET + NOUN
audience, group, market | date
to meet a target date of May 2002
to meet a target date of May 2002
figure, price, weight
PREP.
above (a/the) ~
Sales so far this year are 20% above target.
Sales so far this year are 20% above target.
off ~
These figures are way off target.
These figures are way off target.
on ~
We are still right on target.
We are still right on target.
over (a/the) ~
Many wage settlements reached were over the original target of 4%.
Many wage settlements reached were over the original target of 4%.
towards (a/the) ~
We are working towards a target of twenty cars a week.
We are working towards a target of twenty cars a week.
~ for
setting new targets for growth
setting new targets for growth