50 Idioms for Achieving Goals With Meaning & Sentences
Idioms for Achieving Goals
1. Hit the ground running.
Meaning: To start something with great energy and enthusiasm.
In a Sentence: She hit the ground running on her new project and finished ahead of schedule.
Other Ways to Say: Start strong, Jump into action.
2. Break the ice.
Meaning: Making the first move to initiate a conversation or start something new.
In a Sentence: Jake decided to break the ice by introducing himself to the new student.
Other Ways to Say: Getting the ball rolling, Making a fresh start.
3. Get the ball rolling.
Meaning: To begin a process or activity.
In a Sentence: Let’s get the ball rolling on the marketing campaign today.
Other Ways to Say: Start the process, Kick things off.
4. Make headway.
Meaning: To make progress toward a goal.
In a Sentence: Despite challenges, the team made headway on the new product launch.
Other Ways to Say: Move forward, Make progress.
5. Turn over a new leaf.
Meaning: Making a fresh start or changing one’s behavior for the better.
In a Sentence: After getting into trouble, Mark decided to turn over a new leaf and focus on his studies.
Other Ways to Say: Starting afresh, Making a clean break.
6. On the right track.
Meaning: Proceeding in the correct direction.
In a Sentence: Her detailed plan shows she’s on the right track to success.
Other Ways to Say: Moving in the right direction, Heading the right way.
7. Keep your eyes on the prize.
Meaning: Stay focused on the goal.
In a Sentence: Even with setbacks, she kept her eyes on the prize and succeeded.
Other Ways to Say: Stay focused, Remain determined.
8. Go the extra mile.
Meaning: To make more effort than is expected.
In a Sentence: He always goes the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction.
Other Ways to Say: Give extra effort, Do more than required.
9. Climb the ladder.
Meaning: Progress through a hierarchy or series of steps.
In a Sentence: She climbed the corporate ladder quickly due to her dedication.
Other Ways to Say: Rise through the ranks, Advance professionally.
10. Leave no stone unturned.
Meaning: To search or try everything possible to achieve a goal.
In a Sentence: The detectives left no stone unturned in their investigation.
Other Ways to Say: Try every option, Be thorough.
11. Bite the bullet.
Meaning: To face a difficult situation with courage.
In a Sentence: He bit the bullet and finally asked for a raise.
Other Ways to Say: Take the plunge, Face the challenge.
12. Follow through.
Meaning: To complete what you started.
In a Sentence: She always follows through with her commitments.
Other Ways to Say: Finish what you start, Stick with it.
13. Rise to the occasion.
Meaning: To perform well in a difficult situation.
In a Sentence: He rose to the occasion and delivered an amazing presentation.
Other Ways to Say: Step up, Meet the challenge.
14. Pull out all the stops.
Meaning: To do everything possible to achieve success.
In a Sentence: They pulled out all the stops to win the competition.
Other Ways to Say: Use every resource, Do your utmost.
15. Put your nose to the grindstone.
Meaning: Work hard and consistently.
In a Sentence: He put his nose to the grindstone and completed the book in a month.
Other Ways to Say: Work diligently, Stay focused.
16. Burn the midnight oil.
Meaning: To work late into the night.
In a Sentence: She burned the midnight oil studying for the exam.
Other Ways to Say: Work late, Study hard.
17. Reach for the stars.
Meaning: To set very high goals.
In a Sentence: She always encouraged her students to reach for the stars.
Other Ways to Say: Aim high, Set ambitious goals.
18. Get your act together.
Meaning: To become organized and efficient.
In a Sentence: You need to get your act together if you want to graduate.
Other Ways to Say: Pull yourself together, Get focused.
19. Call the shots.
Meaning: To be in control and make decisions.
In a Sentence: As the team leader, he calls the shots during meetings.
Other Ways to Say: Take charge, Be in control.
20. Get ahead of the game.
Meaning: To be more successful or prepared than others.
In a Sentence: Finishing the project early put her ahead of the game.
Other Ways to Say: Be one step ahead, Stay on top.
21. Keep your nose to the grindstone.
Meaning: To work hard and not get distracted.
In a Sentence: He kept his nose to the grindstone and passed the bar exam.
Other Ways to Say: Focus on work, Stay productive.
22. Shoot for the moon.
Meaning: Aim for something extremely ambitious.
In a Sentence: She decided to shoot for the moon and apply to Harvard.
Other Ways to Say: Dream big, Reach high.
23. Put your best foot forward.
Meaning: To make the best possible impression.
In a Sentence: He put his best foot forward during the interview.
Other Ways to Say: Give your best effort, Present yourself well.
24. Make it happen.
Meaning: To take steps to achieve a goal.
In a Sentence: If you really want change, you have to make it happen.
Other Ways to Say: Take action, Bring it to life.
25. Lay the groundwork.
Meaning: To prepare for future success.
In a Sentence: She laid the groundwork for her business while still in college.
Other Ways to Say: Prepare the foundation, Set the stage.
26. Nail it.
Meaning: To do something perfectly or successfully.
In a Sentence: He nailed his speech and got a standing ovation.
Other Ways to Say: Succeed, Get it right.
27. Think outside the box.
Meaning: To be creative and unconventional.
In a Sentence: The team thought outside the box and found a better solution.
Other Ways to Say: Innovate, Be original.
28. Cross the finish line.
Meaning: To complete a goal or project.
In a Sentence: After years of hard work, she finally crossed the finish line with her degree.
Other Ways to Say: Accomplish it, Reach the end.
29. Set your sights on.
Meaning: To aim for something specific.
In a Sentence: He set his sights on becoming a doctor from an early age.
Other Ways to Say: Target, Focus on.
30. Seal the deal.
Meaning: To successfully complete a business agreement or goal.
In a Sentence: The team worked hard to seal the deal with the investors.
Other Ways to Say: Finalize, Complete successfully.
31. Walk the talk.
Meaning: To back up words with action.
In a Sentence: She always walks the talk when it comes to sustainability.
Other Ways to Say: Practice what you preach, Follow through.
32. Push the envelope.
Meaning: To go beyond the normal limits.
In a Sentence: This new design really pushes the envelope in innovation.
Other Ways to Say: Break new ground, Challenge boundaries.
33. Take the plunge.
Meaning: To commit to a big decision or goal.
In a Sentence: He took the plunge and started his own company.
Other Ways to Say: Go for it, Take a risk.
34. Keep the momentum going.
Meaning: Maintain progress or enthusiasm.
In a Sentence: We had a great start—let’s keep the momentum going!
Other Ways to Say: Stay driven, Continue the pace.
35. Stay the course.
Meaning: Persist with a plan despite difficulties.
In a Sentence: Even with delays, we stayed the course and finished the job.
Other Ways to Say: Persevere, Stick with it.
36. Weather the Storm
Meaning: To survive a difficult situation until it improves.
In a Sentence: She managed to weather the storm and came out stronger on the other side.
Other Ways to Say: Endure hardship, Get through difficulties.
37. Set the Bar High
Meaning: To establish high standards for success.
In a Sentence: Our team set the bar high with their record-breaking sales.
Other Ways to Say: Aim high, Demand excellence.
38. Get Your Act Together
Meaning: To start behaving properly or get organized to achieve something.
In a Sentence: If you want to pass the exam, you need to get your act together.
Other Ways to Say: Pull yourself together, Focus up.
39. Pull the Trigger
Meaning: To make a decision or take action.
In a Sentence: After months of hesitation, she finally pulled the trigger on her business idea.
Other Ways to Say: Take action, Make the move.
40. Go the Distance
Meaning: To continue until the end, even if it’s hard.
In a Sentence: He was determined to go the distance and finish the marathon.
Other Ways to Say: Stick it out, See it through.
41. Have Your Eye on the Prize
Meaning: To stay focused on your goal.
In a Sentence: Even during tough times, she always had her eye on the prize.
Other Ways to Say: Stay focused, Keep your goal in sight.
42. Put in the Legwork
Meaning: To do the hard work needed to achieve something.
In a Sentence: You have to put in the legwork if you want your business to succeed.
Other Ways to Say: Do the groundwork, Make the effort.
43. Rise to the Challenge
Meaning: To perform well when faced with a difficult situation.
In a Sentence: She rose to the challenge and led the team to victory.
Other Ways to Say: Step up, Meet the task.
44. Blaze a Trail
Meaning: To lead the way in doing something new or innovative.
In a Sentence: He blazed a trail in renewable energy technology.
Other Ways to Say: Be a pioneer, Break new ground.
45. Keep Your Nose to the Grindstone
Meaning: To work hard and diligently.
In a Sentence: She kept her nose to the grindstone and got a promotion within a year.
Other Ways to Say: Stay focused, Work persistently.
46. Taste Victory
Meaning: To succeed or win.
In a Sentence: After years of effort, they finally tasted victory in the championship.
Other Ways to Say: Savor success, Achieve triumph.
47. Leap of Faith
Meaning: Taking a risk in hope of success.
In a Sentence: Starting her own company was a leap of faith, but it paid off.
Other Ways to Say: Take a chance, Bold move.
48. Shoot for the Stars
Meaning: To aim for a very ambitious goal.
In a Sentence: His parents always told him to shoot for the stars.
Other Ways to Say: Dream big, Set lofty goals.
49. Beat the Odds
Meaning: To succeed despite difficulties.
In a Sentence: She beat the odds and became the first in her family to attend college.
Other Ways to Say: Defy expectations, Overcome challenges.
50. Make Things Happen
Meaning: To take initiative and create success.
In a Sentence: He didn’t wait for opportunities—he made things happen.
Other Ways to Say: Take charge, Create results.
