lowering one's sights
Reducing one's expectations
Lowering one's sights means reducing expectations or ambitions, settling for less than originally hoped.
The image comes from aiming a weapon—pointing lower at a nearer target rather than a distant one.
After months of job hunting, she lowered her sights and applied for entry-level positions.
Often implies pragmatic acceptance rather than defeat.
- downsizingReducing workforce or scale
- acceptanceConsent to receive
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- humilityFreedom from arrogance
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
simplification · trade-offs · contingency planning · prioritization · recalibration · managing expectations · moderation · settling · second best · good enough · contentment · silver lining · disappointment · scaling back · cutting losses · realism · understanding · adaptation
lowering one's sightsraising the bar
Increasing expected quality
upping one's game · going for broke · swinging for the fences · overreaching · punching above one's weight
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