DRAW A BEAD ON

{v. phr.} {informal} 1. To aim at; sight (with a gun). * /The deer bounded into the forest before the hunters could draw a bead on them./ * /John drew a bead on the elk, but didn't have the heart to pull the trigger./ 2. To take (something) as an aim or goal. * /"I'm drawing a bead on the Literary Society president's office," said Tom./ 3. To use as a target of attack; criticize. * /Whenever a politician makes a mistake, his opponents are ready to draw a bead on him./