angle at (something)
To plan or scheme to get or achieve something; to try to get something in an indirect or roundabout way. (Usually used in the continuous tense.) We've been angling at securing a contract with a major development company from the Middle East for the last few months. What exactly are you angling at? If it's a pay raise, you can just forget about it.
angle for (something)
To plan or scheme to get or achieve something; to try to get something in an indirect or roundabout way. (Usually used in the continuous tense.) We've been angling for a contract with a major development company from the Middle East for the last few months. What exactly are you angling for? If it's a pay raise, you can just forget about it.
angle
1. noun An agenda or aim. In this usage, "angle" is preceded by a noun, pronoun, or article. You never used to have any interest in the family business. What's your angle here? Todd seems very disingenuous to me, so I always assume that he's got an angle.
2. noun An understanding or interpretation of something. In this usage, "angle" is preceded by a noun, pronoun, or article. That author has a really interesting angle on World War II. Carly actually witnessed the accident, so you should get her angle on it.
3. verb To fish with a line and hook. (A fishing hook was previously called an "angle.") My father is out angling on the lake today.
4. verb To pursue an agenda or aim, usually subtly or deceptively. What exactly are you angling at? Just say it! With all the late nights he's spent at the office recently, I think Bruce is angling for a promotion
5. verb To put forth a particular (often biased) view or interpretation of something. Don't listen to my mother, she always angles her stories in a way that makes me the villain.
angle off
To move at a particular angle, rather than in a straight line. You need to angle off to the left, to avoid hitting those rocks.