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

"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

Beijing is bent on keeping the momentum going as it grapples with the U.S. for tech dominance, making autonomy in strategic sectors a core tenet of its five-year plan for the economy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

There are no human characters in “Badlands,” only expendable mechanical representatives of a megacorporation bent on bringing the known universe to heel.

From Salon • Nov. 12, 2025

ILe was bent on expanding the avenues of Latin music, but she was going to achieve this by delving into the venerable genres connected to her heritage.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2025

But when I looked beyond our life on the islands, he became the moon itself, bent on tugging me back, as if I were made of sea instead of blood.

From "Beyond the Bright Sea" by Lauren Wolk