sight

heave in sight: seeheave.

in (or within) your sights within the scope of your ambitions or expectations.

☞ The image in this phrase and in raise your sights and set your sights on below is of a target visible through the sights of a gun.

not a pretty sight: seepretty.

out of sight extremely good; excellent (often used as an exclamation). informal dated

☞ The expression originated in US slang in the 1890s, and is often spelled outasight to suggest its casual pronunciation.

2002Randy ShandisThe Filthy Archives Meg Ryan is out of sight. This is her finest performance.

out of sight, out of mind you soon forget people or things that are no longer visible or present. proverb

raise (or lower) your sights become more (or less) ambitious; increase (or lower) your expectations.

set your sights on have as an ambition; hope strongly to achieve or reach.

2014EstherA Catholic Mom in Hawaii Then, should they succeed in Nigeria, they would set their sights on the South. If they should overrun Nigeria, it will be a steppingstone to conquering smaller countries.

a sight for sore eyes a person or thing that is very attractive or that you are extremely pleased or relieved to see. informal

a sight more - (or a sight - than or a sight too -) someone or something has a great deal or too much of a particular specified quality. informal

2012New Statesman As a Labour supporter, I have to say Michael Dixon's comments (as a Conservative) seem a sight more informed than Tim Montgomerie's.