target practice
Definition
Noun: - A session of training or exercise in shooting at a stationary or moving target: The primary meaning refers to the activity of repeatedly firing a weapon at a marked object to improve accuracy and skill.
Usage
This noun is typically used as an uncountable or mass noun to describe the general activity. It can also be used in a countable sense when referring to specific sessions or events. - The soldiers spent the afternoon at the range for target practice. - She goes to the shooting club for regular target practice. - The police officer's accuracy improved after several target practices.
Advanced Usage
- "to use something/someone for target practice": An idiomatic expression meaning to repeatedly criticize, attack, or make an example of someone or something.
- The new policy was used for target practice by all the opposition parties.
- "live-fire target practice": A specific term for practice using real ammunition, as opposed to simulated or laser training.
Variants and Related Words
- Practice target (n): The physical object or mark that is shot at during target practice.
- He set up the practice targets at 50 meters.
Synonyms
- Shooting practice: A very close synonym, often used interchangeably.
- Marksmanship training: A more formal term emphasizing the skill being developed.
- Drill: A broader term for repetitive training exercises, which can include target practice.
Related Phrases
- On target: Accurate or correct.
- His analysis was right on target.
- Moving target: Literally, a target that is in motion; figuratively, a goal or situation that is constantly changing.
- Planning for this project is difficult because the requirements are a moving target.
Related Idioms
- To be target practice: To be in a vulnerable position where one is easily criticized or attacked.
- As the new manager, he felt like he was target practice for every complaint.
Noun
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practice in shooting at targets
