took aim

Verb

take aim (third-person singular simple present takes aim, present participle taking aim, simple past took aim, past participle taken aim)

1. (intransitive) To position oneself and/or one's weapon so as to be aimed specifically at a chosen mark or target (which is indicated after 'at')
   • He took aim at the prize bird meticulously and shot the cock from the distant flock with a single shot.
2. (idiomatic) To direct criticism (towards).
   • He needed someone to blame for the bus accident, so took aim at the mechanics who failed to carry out the checks.