Phrasal verb
be out to
Definition
phrasal verb. to be trying very hard to do something, especially when it might hurt or bother other people.
phrasal verb. to be purposefully and aggressively intent on achieving a specific goal, often with a predatory or self-interested connotation.
Examples
“He is out to win the race at any cost.”
“The new manager is out to prove that the old team was lazy and inefficient.”
“In the cutthroat world of corporate finance, it often feels as though every competitor is out to destroy your reputation for their own gain.”
Examples
simple
“He is out to win the race at any cost.”
contextual
“The new manager is out to prove that the old team was lazy and inefficient.”
complex
“In the cutthroat world of corporate finance, it often feels as though every competitor is out to destroy your reputation for their own gain.”
Usage
usually followed by an infinitive verb; often implies a negative or selfish motive.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'aim to' or 'try to'; 'be out to' suggests a much stronger, almost obsessive level of determination.
Pitfall
He is out for win the game.
He is out to win the game.
the phrase 'be out to' must be followed by the base form of the verb, not 'for' plus a noun or gerund in this specific sense.
Phrasal verb
Particles
out to
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
be + out + to + verb
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/be-out-to