achieve a goal

Meaning

This collocation means to successfully reach a desired target, objective, or result through effort, skill, or courage. It is widely used in daily life, sports, and business to talk about accomplishing something you planned to do. The tone is positive and motivational.

Examples

• It takes a lot of hard work and discipline to achieve a goal.

  It takes a lot of hard work and discipline to achieve a goal.

• She felt a sense of pride when she finally achieved her goal of running a marathon.

  She felt a sense of pride when she finally achieved her goal of running a marathon.

• We need to work together as a team if we want to achieve our goals.

  We need to work together as a team if we want to achieve our goals.

• Setting smaller milestones makes it much easier to achieve a goal.

  Setting smaller milestones makes it much easier to achieve a goal.

• He is determined to achieve his goal of buying a house by next year.

  He is determined to achieve his goal of buying a house by next year.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want to win my goal of becoming a doctor.

  ✓ I want to achieve my goal of becoming a doctor.

  You 'win' a prize, a game, or a competition, but you 'achieve' or 'reach' a goal.

• ✗ He did his goal after years of study.

  ✓ He achieved his goal after years of study.

  Do not use 'do' or 'make' with 'goal' in this context. Use 'achieve', 'reach', or 'attain'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• To ___ , you must first write down a clear plan of action.

  💡 To successfully reach a desired target or objective.

  Show answer

  achieve a goal

• She worked late every night to ___ of finishing the project early.

  💡 To successfully complete her specific target (possessive form can be used).

  Show answer

  achieve her goal