有的放矢

yǒu dì fàng shǐ

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Rare

Definitions

1. lit. to have a target in mind when shooting one's arrows (idiom)
2. fig. to have a clear objective

Word relationships

Antonyms

2 items

• 盲目 máng mù 盲目 máng mù blind '盲目' means blind or aimless, opposite of '有的放矢' which means purposeful.: blind
• 无的放矢 wú dì fàng shǐ 无的放矢 wú dì fàng shǐ to shoot without aim (idiom); fig. to speak without thinking '无的放矢' is the direct opposite, meaning to shoot arrows without a target, i.e., to act aimlessly.: to shoot without aim (idiom); fig. to speak without thinking

Synonyms

1 item

• 对症下药 duì zhèng xià yào 对症下药 duì zhèng xià yào lit. to prescribe the right medicine for an illness (idiom); fig. to study a problem to find the right way to solve it Both mean to take action based on a clear understanding, '有的放矢' emphasizes having a target, '对症下药' emphasizes suiting the remedy to the case.: lit. to prescribe the right medicine for an illness (idiom); fig. to study a problem to find the right way to solve it

Usage notes

Collocations

Often used with 工作、学习、批评 to emphasize purposeful action.

Formality

Common in formal writing and speeches, not in casual conversation.

Example Sentences

1 shown

我们的工作应该 有的放矢 。

Our work should have a clear objective.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 有的放矢

• 放 放 fàng: to put
• 有 有 yǒu: to have; there is
• 有的 有的 yǒu de: (there are) some (who are...)
• 的 的 de: of; ~'s (possessive particle)
• 的 的 dī: see 的士[dī shì]
• 的 的 dí: really and truly
• 的 的 dì: (bound form) bull's-eye; target