out for

out for (something)

1. Eager or determined to achieve or obtain something. You can tell the young legal aide is out for a promotion, judging by the amount of time and energy he keeps putting into each case. The angry mob was out for blood, and they were all too happy to turn their wrath on the first suspect the police apprehended.
2. Absent from one's usual location in order to do or get something. Sorry, Mrs. Murphy is out for lunch. Can I take a message? Let's go out for dinner tonight. I really don't feel like cooking.
See also: out
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

out for

having your interest or effort directed to; intent on.
See also: out
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • out for (something)
  • out for, be
  • be out for (something)
  • judging by
  • judging by (something)
  • judging from (something)
  • think nothing of (someone or something)
  • think nothing of it
  • eager
  • eager beaver
References in classic literature
And that the Egyptians were a nation of mast-head standers, is an assertion based upon the general belief among archaeologists, that the first pyramids were founded for astronomical purposes: a theory singularly supported by the peculiar stair-like formation of all four sides of those edifices; whereby, with prodigious long upliftings of their legs, those old astronomers were wont to mount to the apex, and sing out for new stars; even as the look-outs of a modern ship sing out for a sail, or a whale just bearing in sight.
Moby Dick I LXVII
His eyes were rather moist and glittered more than usual, and as he sat in his saddle, wrapped up in his fur coat, he looked like a child taken out for an outing.
War and Peace
We hardly exchanged a word during breakfast, and immediately afterwards I went out for a walk, that I might think the matter out in the fresh morning air.
"'I think that she has gone out for a walk,' she answered.
Memoirs of Sherloc Holmes
Ins: Iturbe (loan), Afobe (PS12m), Grabban (PS7m), Adamonis (loan) Outs: Kermorgant (PS500,000), Ward (free), Tomlin (loan), Stockley (loan) What could happen: Tyrone Mings is out for the season - Rhoys Wiggins could return from Charlton Athletic.
CLUB-BY-CLUB; THE INS AND OUTS... AND POSSIBILITIES S OSSIBILITIES
She says, "We didn't want sales pitches, we wanted to get our hands on the projectors and find out for ourselves which was the best."
Compare and contrast: districts are conducting vendor shoot-outs as a way to compare new tech products