bent on

Idioms  

1. Also, bent upon. Determined, resolved, as in Jamie is bent on winning the math prize. This phrase, first recorded in 1762, always uses the past participle of the verb bend in the sense of “tend toward.”

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bent on

After an initial, glancing chase by a group of indigenous men bent on seizing the whalemen’s clothing and weapons, the survivors landed on the Palauan island of Babeldaob.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026

He survived waves of social change in Iran and multiple American administrations bent on undermining his rule.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 1, 2026

"The future belongs to those who innovate, and Israel and India are bent on innovation," Netanyahu said on Thursday, standing next to Modi.

From Barron's ● Feb. 26, 2026

But I’d like to think that, had we won the World Series last year, we’d be hell bent on getting back again.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2025

"I hardly get to see you. Haymitch seems bent on keeping us apart."

From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins