draw a bead on

Idioms  

1. Take careful aim, as in The debater drew a bead on his opponent. This term, dating from about 1830, alludes to the bead on a revolver or rifle, that is, a small knob in the foresight. [c. 1930]

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Example Sentences

Difficult to draw a bead on the Buccaneers.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 17, 2024

In the amorphous twilight of the Afghan war, it isn’t enough to draw a bead on the enemy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 20, 2016

He may be the first president of my lifetime who comedians have never been able to draw a bead on the way they could with every other Oval Office occupant of the last 50 years.

From Salon • Jun. 18, 2016

In person, it’s hard to draw a bead on Mr. Elba: He’s almost Teflon smooth.

From New York Times • Sep. 8, 2015

Then she’d whirl and be gone before I could draw a bead on her.

From "Old Yeller" by Fred Gipson