A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

have something in one’s sights • set one’s sights on
something
have something in one’s sights —
1
. (of a hunter, etc.) take aim
at smth.: I had the deer in my sights, but it moved before I
could fire. 2. (of celestial objects) observe through the telescope:
I tried the Crab nebula first and soon had it in my sights. 3.
regard smth. as a prospective objective: Today Ireland is look-
ing forward to the best future we’ve had in our sights for gen-
erations.
set one’s sights on something —
1
. see smth.: When I set my
sights on this guitar, I was hoping for a modern-production
guitar that caught the sound of the old ragtime. 2. = have
something in one’s sights 3: They may have to set their sights
on something less ambitious.
have something in stock • have something in store
have something in stock —(of merchandise) be available imme-
diately for sale or distribution: We do not have a shirt of this
size in stock now, but we can order it for you.
have something in store —
1
. have smth. in reserve in case of
need: After the hardships of the previous winter, you now
have plenty of food in store for the months ahead. 2. (of events,
conditions, etc.) be waiting to happen: We’ve had all kinds of
weather and there’s no telling what the weather has in store
for us in mid–June.
have something on • have something on one
have something on —
1
. be wearing smth.: She was very pretty
and had a lovely dress on. 2. be busy with smth.: I’m sorry, I
can’t come, I have two concerts on next week.
have something on one —(of money, etc.) carry about (also:
have something on one’s person): The man had a credit card on
him that the police believed was stolen.