lower one's sights: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  generalneutralinformalfigurative
  • To reduce one's ambitions, expectations, or goals; to aim for a less demanding or less prestigious outcome than previously sought.

  Examples

  Beta

  • After failing to secure funding for her startup, Julia decided to lower her sights and aim for a smaller local market instead.

    Tras no conseguir financiación para su startup, Julia decidió bajar sus expectativas y apuntar a un mercado local más pequeño.

  • If we lower our sights on the project, we could finish it by the end of the month without compromising quality.

    Si bajamos nuestras expectativas sobre el proyecto, podríamos terminarlo a fin de mes sin comprometer la calidad.

  • He didn't want to lower his sights, but the harsh reality of the job market forced him to accept a less prestigious position.

    No quería bajar sus expectativas, pero la dura realidad del mercado laboral lo obligó a aceptar un puesto menos prestigioso.

• 2.

  generalneutralliteral
  • To physically lower the level of one's line of sight or the aiming point on a device or instrument.

  Examples

  Beta

  • During the shooting practice, Liam lowered his sights carefully to adjust for the wind.

    Durante la práctica de tiro, Liam bajó su mira cuidadosamente para ajustar el viento.

  • The sniper was instructed to lower his sights to target enemies hiding behind the wall.

    Le indicaron al francotirador que bajara sus miras para apuntar a los enemigos escondidos detrás del muro.

  • When aiming the telescope, we had to lower our sights slightly to view the lower constellation.

    Al apuntar el telescopio, tuvimos que bajar un poco la línea de visión para observar la constelación más baja.

  • She lowered her sights on the rifle, focusing carefully before taking the shot at the distant target.

    Ella bajó la mira del rifle, enfocándose cuidadosamente antes de disparar al objetivo lejano.