# set one's cap at

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/set-ones-cap-at
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To choose a man as a potential husband (for a girl).

## Examples

- She set her cap at the new neighbor.
- She sets her cap at the doctor because he is very kind.
- Does she plan to set her cap at the new teacher?
- Everyone noticed how she set her cap at the wealthy visitor during the summer dance.
- My grandmother told stories about how she set her cap at a handsome soldier she met at the train station.
- In the old novel, the main character sets her cap at the farm owner to help her family.
- Determined to secure her future, the young woman set her cap at the eligible bachelor despite his cold reputation.

## Origin

The idiom is probably a calque of the French phrase *mettre le cap sur*, which describes the act of setting a course for a specific destination. It implies a certain navigational resolve, treating the object of one's romantic interest as a geographical coordinate to be reached by steady steering. Though the English usage suggests a more domestic or social pursuit, the underlying metaphor remains one of maritime transit. (disputed)

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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.