gun for

gun for (third-person singular simple present guns for, present participle gunning for, simple past and past participle gunned for)

1. (transitive) To strive for the downfall or diminution of another.

   He has been gunning for her since the day he arrived, he wants her job.

2. (transitive) To pursue as a goal; to work hard to achieve.
   • 2008, Leonard Sweet, The Gospel According to Starbucks: Living with a Grande Passion, →ISBN, page 11:

     In the early 1990s Starbucks was gunning for two thousand stores by 2000.

   • 2008, John Uhrig, The Little Book with Big Impact For Day Spas - How To Create Instant Client Promotions and Sales Letters, →ISBN, page 105:

     The largest section at the top has five sections that you're going to grade individual components of your marketing on; on a scale of L-0 to L-5. “L” simply stands for level. And what we're gunning for is L-5 materials.

   • 1997, Susan Abel Lieberman, The Real High School Handbook: How to Survive, Thrive, and Prepare for What's Next, →ISBN, page 49:

     And once you pick your direction, you'll need to decide the route: are you gunning for the best time; do you want the most scenic route; is it important to stop for lunch with Aunt Julia?