# lower one's sights

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/lower-ones-sights
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

to lower one's expectations and accept less than one was hoping for or striving toward

## Examples

- I lowered my sights and bought a cheaper car.
- After failing to find a job in the city, she lowered her sights and applied for positions in smaller towns.
- Realizing that his original ambitions were unattainable, he reluctantly lowered his sights to focus on more modest, achievable goals.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.