target
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++tar·get1 /ˈtɑːɡɪt $ ˈtɑːr-/ ●●● S2 W2 AWL noun [countable] 1 aim 目标RESULT something that you are trying to achieve, such as a total, an amount, or a time 目标；指标 SYN goalsales/attainment/growth etc targets demanding financial targets 很高的财务指标target of the target of a one-third reduction in road accidents 道路交通事故减少三分之一的目标target for Higher degrees in English are a target for foreign students. 获得英语高等学位是外国学生的目标。 There is no target date for completion of the new project. 这个新的项目何时完工没有预定日期。 The government may fail to meet (=achieve) its target of recycling 25% of domestic waste. 政府可能达不到回收利用25%的生活垃圾的目标。 Jiang set annual growth targets of 8–9%. 江确定了8%至9%的年增长目标。on target (=likely to achieve a target) 有可能实现目标 The company says that growth of 10% is on target. 公司声称10%的增长目标可望实现。► see thesaurus at aim2 object of attack 攻击对象PMATTACK an object, person, or place that is deliberately chosen to be attacked 目标，对象target for/of Railway stations are prime targets (=very likely targets) for bombs. 火车站是炸弹袭击的主要目标。easy/soft target Cars without security devices are an easy target for the thief. 没有防盗装置的汽车很容易成为小偷下手的目标。3 object of an action 行动的目标 the person or place that is most directly affected by an action, especially a bad one 对象；受影响的人[地方]target for/of The area has become a prime target for supermarket development. 该地区成了发展超市的首选之地。 The country is a target of criticism for its human rights record. 该国因其人权记录而成为批评的对象。4 shooting 射击DS something that you practise shooting at, especially a round board with circles on it 〔射击的〕靶子 The area is used by the army for target practice. 这个地方被军队用来练习打靶。5 target audience/group/area etc Sa limited group, area etc that a plan, idea etc is aimed at 目标受众/群体/区域等 Our target audience is men aged between 18 and 35. 我们的目标受众是18到35岁之间的男性。6. target language the language that you are learning or that you are translating into 目标语言，目的语；译入语n COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 1: something that you are trying to achieve, such as a total, an amount, or a timeverbsmeet a target (=achieve what you want to achieve)The government wants to meet its target of building three million new homes by 2020.reach/achieve/hit a target (=meet it)They achieved their target with just days to spare.set a targetThe company has set ambitious business targets.exceed a target (=achieve more than you wanted to)We have exceeded our target of £200,000.fall short of a target (=achieve less than you wanted to)Car production at the plant has fallen short of its target by 5%.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + target ambitious/highThe targets they have set themselves are hugely ambitious.modest (=not very high)The Kyoto Protocol set fairly modest targets for reductions in greenhouse gases.achievable/realisticThe target is achievable, but only by hard work.a financial targetBoth businesses exceeded their financial targets.a sales targetI’m confident we will meet our sales target by the end of the year.a growth targetThe company’s growth targets have been achieved for the last three years.target + NOUNa target dateThere is no target date set for completion of the new project.a target figureThe government has set a target figure of 6.2%n COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 2: an object, person, or place that is deliberately chosen to be attackedadjectivesa prime target (=the most suitable or most likely to be chosen)Sporting events could become a prime target for terrorists.the main targetThe rebel-held town is one of the main targets for U S troops.an easy/soft targetSome criminals now regard churches as easy targets.a sitting target (=someone who is easy to attack)In the open, the soldiers are sitting targets.somebody’s intended targetThe gunman missed his intended target.a military targetThe group insists that its bombs were directed against military targets.a civilian targetThe army denied it had attacked civilian targets.a legitimate target (=one that it is fair to attack)The rebels claimed that trains carrying soldiers are a legitimate target.verbsattack a targetThey have attacked military targets such as army camps and airfields.hit a targetNot every bomb hit its target.miss a targetAll of the missiles missed their target and no-one was killed.
Examples from the Corpus
target• I set myself a target of learning 20 new words each week.• The GIA continued its attacks on civilian targets.• Hiring at the three previous centers took about twice as long as the company's 60-day target, Norden said.• It has been given the lowest efficiency target in the country by the Government's new Passenger's Charter.• Now, by budget resolutions, it establishes targets in May and final ceilings in September.• The bomb missed its target by several kilometres.• The company will reach its target of 12% growth this year.• The Communist Party has become the main target for critical attack among left wing intellectuals.• The company, named for a friend who died from an infection, would search for new targets for antibiotics.• How can they achieve maximum or target levels of profits or sales without precise information concerning their revenues and costs?• The government is struggling to reach its original target of $23 billion in spending cuts.• We produced 16,000 cars this year, but our target was 17,500.• Our target is the release of all political prisoners.• Holding a US passport makes these tourists a prime target for terrorists.• He set the wage levels, the production targets, the safety standards, and he really planned the whole industry.• The commonly used roads are the targets of heavy fire.• But just into the third there was movement around the target area.• The Institution has been the target of terrorist attack several times.• When the plane gets to the target area, it drops the missile and returns to base.• Kay was the target of a noisy demonstration in which 54 people were arrested.• The target for the appeal is £20,000, all of which will go to children's charities.on target• Our year-end results were right on target.easy/soft target• Young people are an easy target.• Well, the reader may say, he's small fry, an easy target.• Which, though he didn't know it, made her an easy target.• But to the criminal she's was just an easy target.• Every so often a rabbit would make a desperate, lung-bursting bid for freedom, only to provide an easy target for the twelve-bores.• So we opt for cheap grace, and easy targets, instead.• It was a natural and easy target for newspapers.prime target• The area is a prime target for redevelopment.• The law and order section is a prime target for every kind of scam.• Although nationally distributed boxes do not change fronts often, the regional ones do, making them a prime target for collectors.• They are, therefore, a prime target for advertisers trying to reach an affluent market.• These factors, however, made the camps prime targets for enemy attack and bombardment.• The prime target market, then, is seen to be pre-retirement.• It was clear the police were looking for reporters, that they were prime targets.target practice• Prisoners taken were blinded, mutilated, dragged behind the hooves of horses and used as target practice by archers.• Firstly in a country full of guns it doesn't do to stand there asking to become target practice.• For the cynics of the world, Philip Gould is easy target practice.• He knew that on these streets young kids with guns used people on the sidewalks for target practice.• It ensured that no trigger-happy missile controller would fail to observe the safety precautions and attempt a little target practice.• It is merely target practice using live targets.• After sundown, a bit of target practice on the estate, using his collection of sophisticated weapons.• A downtown establishment has always made for satisfying target practice.target2 ●○○ AWL verb [transitive] 1 RESULTto make something have an effect on a particular limited group or area 以…为目标，以…为对象 The advertisement was designed to target a mass audience. 这个广告是针对大众的。target something on/at somebody/something a new benefit targeted on low-income families 一项针对低收入家庭的新的福利 The programme is targeted at improving the health of women of all ages. 该计划的目的是提高各年龄层妇女的健康水平。2 PMATTACKto aim something at a target 把…对准，把…瞄向target something on/at somebody/something The missiles are targeted at several key military sites. 这些导弹瞄准了几个主要的军事地点。3 CHOOSEto choose a particular person or place to do something to, especially to attack them or criticize them 把…选为目标〔尤为了攻击或批评〕→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
target• These and other economic development proposals have emphasized targeting and leveraging to get maximum use of the federal dollars.• Warshaw says Waxman and other critics have charged that police are targeting black neighborhoods.• For example, they tried to link training placement to jobs, or to target construction jobs on local people.• The company may then target its efforts on these preferred locations.• Ireland is more ruthless still in targeting public health care.From Longman Business Dictionarytargettar‧get1 /ˈtɑːgətˈtɑːr-/ noun [countable]1an organization, industry, government etc that is deliberately chosen to have something done to ittarget ofThere was persistent speculation that the company could be the target of a takeover bid.Computers are helping choose targets for direct-mail and telephone campaigns.Europe will be the main target for rising South African coal exports.2a result such as a total, an amount, or a time which you aim to achieveDealers are under pressure to meet sales targets.Bonuses were introduced for employees who met production targets.The federal funds rate slipped to 7% from its target level of 8%.3on target on the way to achieving a resultThe export business is booming and the U.S. business is right on target.4target customer/group/area etcMARKETING a limited group of people or area that a plan, idea etc is aimed atWho is the target audience for this book?These advertisements are aimed mainly at our target customers.targettarget2 verb [transitive]1to aim products, programmes of work, etc at a particular area or group of peopletarget something on somethingWe will target funds on areas of research where breakthroughs are imminent.target something at somethingThe booklet is targeted at people approaching retirement.2to choose someone or something for a particular type of treatmentThe main markets targeted for development have been those of the US and Western Europe. —targeted adjective [only before a noun]Investing relatively small amounts in targeted areas can bring big profits.a targeted advertising campaign→ See Verb tableOrigin target1 (1200-1300) Old French targette, from targe “small shield”tar·get1 noun →n COLLOCATIONS1 →n COLLOCATIONS2target2 verbLDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable
Business Corpus that to achieve, something you are trying
target
tar‧get1 S2 W2 AC /ˈtɑːɡət, ˈtɑːɡɪt $ ˈtɑːr-/ 
noun [countable]
SYN goal
sales/attainment/growth etc targets
demanding financial targets
target of
the target of a one-third reduction in road accidents
target for
Higher degrees in English are a target for foreign students.
There is no target date for completion of the new project.
The government may fail to meet (=achieve) its target of recycling 25% of domestic waste.
Jiang set annual growth targets of 8–9%.
on target (=likely to achieve a target)
The company says that growth of 10% is on target.
2. OBJECT OF ATTACK an object, person, or place that is deliberately chosen to be attacked
target for/of
Railway stations are prime targets (=very likely targets) for bombs.
easy/soft target
Cars without security devices are an easy target for the thief.
3. OBJECT OF AN ACTION the person or place that is most directly affected by an action, especially a bad one
target for/of
The area has become a prime target for supermarket development.
The country is a target of criticism for its human rights record.
4. SHOOTING something that you practise shooting at, especially a round board with circles on it:
The area is used by the army for target practice.
5. target audience/group/area etc a limited group, area etc that a plan, idea etc is aimed at:
Our target audience is men aged between 18 and 35.
6. target language the language that you are learning or that you are translating into
■ verbs
▪meet a target (=achieve what you want to achieve) The government wants to meet its target of building three million new homes by 2020.
▪reach/achieve/hit a target (=meet it) They achieved their target with just days to spare.
▪set a target The company has set ambitious business targets.
▪exceed a target (=achieve more than you wanted to) We have exceeded our target of £200,000.
▪fall short of a target (=achieve less than you wanted to) Car production at the plant has fallen short of its target by 5%.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + target
▪ambitious/high The targets they have set themselves are hugely ambitious.
▪modest (=not very high) The Kyoto Protocol set fairly modest targets for reductions in greenhouse gases.
▪achievable/realistic The target is achievable, but only by hard work.
▪a financial target Both businesses exceeded their financial targets.
▪a sales target I’m confident we will meet our sales target by the end of the year.
▪a growth target The company’s growth targets have been achieved for the last three years.
■ target + NOUN
▪a target date There is no target date set for completion of the new project.
▪a target figure The government has set a target figure of 6.2%
■ adjectives
▪a prime target (=the most suitable or most likely to be chosen) Sporting events could become a prime target for terrorists.
▪the main target The rebel-held town is one of the main targets for U S troops.
▪an easy/soft target Some criminals now regard churches as easy targets.
▪a sitting target (=someone who is easy to attack) In the open, the soldiers are sitting targets.
▪sb’s intended target The gunman missed his intended target.
▪a military target The group insists that its bombs were directed against military targets.
▪a civilian target The army denied it had attacked civilian targets.
▪a legitimate target (=one that it is fair to attack) The rebels claimed that trains carrying soldiers are a legitimate target.
■ verbs
▪attack a target They have attacked military targets such as army camps and airfields.
▪hit a target Not every bomb hit its target.
▪miss a target All of the missiles missed their target and no-one was killed.
▪ aim something you hope to achieve by doing something: The main aim of the plan was to provide employment for local people.
▪goal something important that you hope to achieve in the future, even though it may take a long time: The country can still achieve its goal of reducing poverty by a third.
▪target a particular amount or total that you want to achieve: The company is on track to meet its target of increasing profits by 10%.
▪objective the specific thing that you are trying to achieve – used especially about things that have been officially discussed and agreed upon in business, politics etc: Their main objective is to halt the flow of drugs. | We met to set the business objectives for the coming year.
▪ambition something that you very much want to achieve in your future career: Her ambition was to go to law school and become an attorney. | Earlier this year, he achieved his ambition of competing in the Olympic Games.
target2 AC verb [transitive]
1. to make something have an effect on a particular limited group or area:
The advertisement was designed to target a mass audience.
target something on/at somebody/something
a new benefit targeted on low-income families
The programme is targeted at improving the health of women of all ages.
2. to aim something at a target
target something on/at somebody/something
The missiles are targeted at several key military sites.
3. to choose a particular person or place to do something to, especially to attack them or criticize them:
It’s clear that smaller, more vulnerable banks have been targeted.
He was targeted by terrorists for a second time last night.
| I |
noun [countable] Date: 1200-1300
Language: Old French
Origin: targette, from targe 'small shield'
1. AIM something that you are trying to achieve, such as a total, an amount, or a time Language: Old French
Origin: targette, from targe 'small shield'
SYN goal
sales/attainment/growth etc targets
target of
target for
on target (=likely to achieve a target)
2. OBJECT OF ATTACK an object, person, or place that is deliberately chosen to be attacked
target for/of
easy/soft target
3. OBJECT OF AN ACTION the person or place that is most directly affected by an action, especially a bad one
target for/of
4. SHOOTING something that you practise shooting at, especially a round board with circles on it:
5. target audience/group/area etc a limited group, area etc that a plan, idea etc is aimed at:
6. target language the language that you are learning or that you are translating into
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| II |
verb [transitive]1. to make something have an effect on a particular limited group or area:
target something on/at somebody/something
2. to aim something at a target
target something on/at somebody/something
3. to choose a particular person or place to do something to, especially to attack them or criticize them:
target a result that you try to achieve 指试图达到的目标、指标 ：◆ Set yourself targets that you can reasonably hope to achieve. 给自己制订有望达到的指标。 ◆ attainment targets in schools 学校的成绩目标 objective ( something that you are trying to achieverather
指正努力达到的目标、目的 ：◆ What is the main objective of this project? 这个项目的主要目标是什么？ goal something that you hope to achieve 指希望达到的目标、目的 ：◆ He continued to pursue his goal of becoming an actor. 他继续追求他成为演员的目标。
target, objective or goal? 用 target、objective 还是 goal？
object the purpose of sth; sth that you plan to achieve 指目的、目标、宗旨 ：◆ The object is to educate people about road safety. 目的就是教育大众注意交通安全。 end something that you plan to achieve 指计划达到的目的、目标 ：◆ He joined the society for political ends. 他为了政治目的加入了这个协会。 ◆ That's only OK if you believe that the end justifies the means (= .bad methods of doing sth are acceptable if the final result is good )除非你认为只要目的正确可以不择手段，不然那是不可以接受的。 NOTE End is usually used in the plural or in particular fixed expressions.* end 常用复数或用于某些固定短语中。
Patterns
to work towards a(n) target/objective/goala(n) ambitious/major/long-term/short-term/future target/objective/goaleconomic/financial/business targets/objectives/goalsto set/agree on/identify/reach/meet/exceed a(n) target/objective/goalto achieve a(n) target/objective/goal/end
Running a business 经营企业
buy/acquire/own/sell a company/firm/franchise收购／获得／拥有／出售公司／商行／特许经销权 set up/establish/start/start up/launch a business/company创办企业／公司 run/operate a business/company/franchise经营企业／公司／专卖店 head/run a firm/department/team管理公司／部门／团队 make/secure/win/block a deal达成／阻止一笔交易 expand/grow/build the business扩展业务 boost/increase investment/spending/sales/turnover/earnings/exports/trade增加投资／支出／销售量／营业额／收入／出口／贸易 increase/expand production/output/sales增加产量／输出量／销售量 boost/maximize production/productivity/efficiency/income/revenue/profit/profitability使产量／生产力／效率／收入／收益／利润／收益增加／最大化 achieve/maintain/sustain growth/profitability实现／维持／保持增长／收益 cut/reduce/bring down/lower/slash costs/prices削减成本／价格 announce/impose/make cuts/cutbacks宣布／强制实行／实施削减
Sales and marketing 销售和市场营销
break into/enter/capture/dominate the market打入／进入／占领／控制市场 gain/grab/take/win/boost/lose market share取得／夺取／得到／赢得／增加／丢失市场份额 find/build/create a market for sth为某物找到／建立／开创市场 start/launch an advertising/a marketing campaign发起广告／营销宣传活动 develop/launch/promote a product/website开发／推出／推销产品／网站 create/generate demand for your product为产品创造需求 attract/get/retain/help customers/clients吸引／赢得／留住／帮助顾客／客户 drive/generate/boost/increase demand/sales刺激／创造／提高／增加需求／销售量 beat/keep ahead of/out-think/outperform the competition打败／领先于／智胜／胜过竞争对手 meet/reach/exceed/miss sales targets完成／达到／超过／未达到销售目标
Finance 财务
draw up/set/present/agree/approve a budget起草／制订／提出／批准预算 keep to/balance/cut/reduce/slash the budget执行／平衡／削减／大幅削减预算 be/come in below/under/over/within budget未超出／超出预算；在预算之内 generate income/revenue/profit/funds/business产生收益／利润／资金／营业额 fund/finance a campaign/a venture/an expansion/spending/a deficit为活动／商业项目／扩张／开支／赤字提供资金 provide/raise/allocate capital/funds提供／筹集／分配资金 attract/encourage investment/investors吸引／鼓励投资／投资者 recover/recoup costs/losses/an investment收回成本／亏损／投资 get/obtain/offer sb/grant sb credit/a loan获得／为某人提供／准予某人贷款 apply for/raise/secure/arrange/provide finance申请／筹集／获得／安排／提供资金
Failure 失败；不成功
lose business/trade/customers/sales/revenue失去生意／买卖／顾客／销量／收益 accumulate/accrue/incur/run up debts累积／积累／招致／积欠债务 suffer/sustain enormous/heavy/serious losses蒙受惨重损失 face cuts/a deficit/redundancy/bankruptcy面临削减／赤字／裁员／破产 file for/ ( NAmE enter/avoid/escape bankruptcy申请／避免／幸免破产 ( BrE go into administration/liquidation进入行政接管／清算 liquidate/wind up a company清算／关闭公司 survive/weather a recession/downturn艰难渡过萧条期／衰退期 propose/seek/block/oppose a merger提出／寻求／阻止／反对合并 launch/make/accept/defeat a takeover bid发起／进行／接受／阻止收购投标
