define a goal

Meaning

This expression means to clearly identify, describe, and establish what you want to achieve. It is commonly used in business planning, project management, and performance reviews to ensure everyone understands the target. The tone is professional and constructive.

Examples

• Before we start the project, we need to define a goal for the marketing team.

  Before we start the project, we need to define a goal for the marketing team.

• It's hard to measure success if you don't define a goal first.

  It's hard to measure success if you don't define a goal first.

• The manager helped her define a goal for her career development this year.

  The manager helped her define a goal for her career development this year.

• Let's meet tomorrow to define a goal for our Q3 sales targets.

  Let's meet tomorrow to define a goal for our Q3 sales targets.

• To define a goal effectively, make sure it is specific and realistic.

  To define a goal effectively, make sure it is specific and realistic.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We need to make a goal for our next campaign.

  ✓ We need to define a goal for our next campaign.

  While 'make a goal' is sometimes used casually, 'define a goal' is the standard professional collocation when you want to specify or clarify an objective.

• ✗ The team defined to increase sales by ten percent.

  ✓ The team defined a goal to increase sales by ten percent.

  'Define' needs a noun object like 'a goal' rather than directly taking an infinitive verb.

Related Expressions

Practice

• During the annual review, my supervisor helped me ___ for the upcoming year.

  💡 To clearly specify what to achieve

  Show answer

  define a goal

• If you want your team to succeed, you must first ___ that everyone understands.

  💡 Establish a clear objective

  Show answer

  define a goal