Achieving goals is important, and there are special sayings called idioms that talk about this journey. These idioms for achieving goals use clever and fun words to describe working towards and reaching our dreams. They are like little word puzzles. For example, ‘hitting the nail on the head’ doesn’t mean using a hammer, but doing something exactly right. These idioms help make talking about our efforts and successes more interesting and colorful. They are like markers on a path, each one showing a different part of the journey to reach our goals. Learning them is like finding new ways to celebrate our achievements.
Idioms about Achieving Goals
Here are some idioms that capture various aspects of goal achievement, along with their meanings and examples:
Go the distance
-
- Meaning: Complete an endeavor
- Example: “It’s a tough course, but I’m ready to go the distance.”
Burn the midnight oil
-
- Meaning: Work late
- Example: “She’s burning the midnight oil to finish her report.”
Move mountains
-
- Meaning: Overcome great obstacles
- Example: “With determination, you can move mountains.”
Climb the ladder
-
- Meaning: Advance career-wise
- Example: “He’s climbing the ladder very quickly in his field.”
Eye on the prize
-
- Meaning: Stay focused
- Example: “Keep your eye on the prize and you’ll pass your exams.”
Win hands down
-
- Meaning: Win easily
- Example: “With her talent, she’ll win the competition hands down.”
Up the ante
-
- Meaning: Increase what’s at stake
- Example: “To succeed, sometimes you have to up the ante.”
Knock it out of the park
-
- Meaning: Do something exceptionally well
- Example: “He knocked it out of the park with his presentation.”
Break new ground
-
- Meaning: Do something innovative
- Example: “His research broke new ground in genetics.”
Get ahead of the game
-
- Meaning: Gain an advantage
- Example: “Staying updated with technology helps you get ahead of the game.”
Cross the finish line
-
- Meaning: Complete a task
- Example: “She finally crossed the finish line on her thesis.”
Make hay while the sun shines
-
- Meaning: Take timely action
- Example: “We should make hay while the sun shines and finish the work early.”
Push the envelope
-
- Meaning: Exceed limits
- Example: “Innovation comes from pushing the envelope.”
Raise the bar
-
- Meaning: Increase standards
- Example: “This year, we need to raise the bar for our sales goals.”
Shoot for the moon
-
- Meaning: Aim very high
- Example: “If you shoot for the moon, you’ll land among the stars.”
Rise to the occasion
-
- Meaning: Meet a challenge
- Example: “She always rises to the occasion when faced with difficulties.”
Take the bull by the horns
-
- Meaning: Tackle a problem directly
- Example: “He took the bull by the horns and resolved the issue.”
Hit the ground running
-
- Meaning: Start quickly and energetically
- Example: “She hit the ground running in her new job.”
On the home stretch
-
- Meaning: Approaching the end
- Example: “We’re on the home stretch of the project now.”
Beat the odds
-
- Meaning: Succeed against difficulties
- Example: “Despite the low chances, she beat the odds and won the scholarship.”
Go for broke
-
- Meaning: Risk everything
- Example: “He went for broke and started his own company.”
Go the extra mile
-
- Meaning: Do more than expected
- Example: “He goes the extra mile to achieve his targets.”
Seize the day
-
- Meaning: Take the opportunity
- Example: “Seize the day and apply for that job!”
Play your cards right
-
- Meaning: Make good decisions
- Example: “If you play your cards right, you’ll get the promotion.”
Set the bar high
-
- Meaning: Aim for excellence
- Example: “She sets the bar high for her team.”
Get the ball rolling
-
- Meaning: Start an endeavor
- Example: “Let’s get the ball rolling on the new project.”
Rise above
-
- Meaning: Overcome difficulties
- Example: “He managed to rise above the challenges in his life.”
Leave no stone unturned
-
- Meaning: Check every possibility
- Example: “We’ll leave no stone unturned in our research.”
Reach for the stars
-
- Meaning: Aim high
- Example: “Always reach for the stars in your career.”
The sky’s the limit
-
- Meaning: No limits
- Example: “With your skills, the sky’s the limit.”
These idioms highlight different aspects of goal achievement, from the initial ambitious aspiration to the final realization of success.
Must Try: