angle for
phr. v..phr. v.. to try to get something you want without asking for it directly.
phr. v.. to use indirect methods or hints to obtain a desired object, information, or outcome; often implies a level of subtle manipulation.
He is clearly angling for a promotion.
She kept mentioning how much she loved the new project, clearly angling for an invitation to join the team.
The diplomat spent the entire evening angling for a private audience with the minister, though he never explicitly requested one.
- Particles
- for
- Separability
- inseparable
- Pattern
- angle + for + object
usually followed by a noun or a gerund phrase representing the desired goal.
the metaphor comes from fishing (angling); just as a fisherman uses bait to lure a fish, the speaker uses hints to lure the desired result.
He is angling to a compliment.He is angling for a compliment.the verb 'angle' requires the preposition 'for' to indicate the target of the search.