IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchDans le collimateur
Meaning: In someone's sights; singled out for scrutiny.
Literally: In the collimator
Example: “Depuis ses retards répétés, il est dans le collimateur de la direction.” — Since his repeated late arrivals, he's been in management's crosshairs.
English equivalent: In the crosshairs
Equivalents in other languages
English: in the crosshairs
Origin: A collimator is the optical sight used for aiming artillery and, later, aligning instruments. The phrase entered general French from military use in the 20th century and keeps the sense of deliberate targeting.
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