have designs on
Scheme to obtain
To have designs on something is to want it and be scheming to get it.
The phrase suggests calculating intent rather than innocent desire—often with implications of romantic pursuit or territorial ambition: He has designs on my job, She clearly has designs on your brother.
The designs are plans, and the wanting is strategic.
- set one's sights onChoose as objective
- aspireSeek to achieve
- covetDesire greedily
- go afterChase or seek
- stake a claimAssert ownership of something
flirt · contrive · plot · scheme · seek · woo · aim · pursue · target · zero in on · angle for · fancy · court · seduce · infatuate · strategize · plan · desire