1.
estimate; guess; expectation
A rough idea or estimate of something, often used when one has a general sense of where something is or who is responsible.
犯人の目星がついた。
They have a lead on the culprit.
引っ越し先の目星はもうつけてある。
I've already got my eye on a place to move to.
原因の目星はついているが、まだ確認が必要だ。
I have a rough idea of the cause, but confirmation is still needed.
USAGE:
目星 is almost always used with the verb つく or つける. 目星がつく means to get a lead or form an estimate; 目星をつける means to single out a target or narrow things down.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 目星がつく (to get a lead, to have an idea)
- 目星をつける (to single out, to set one's sights on)
- 目星がつかない (to have no lead/clue)
SIMILAR WORDS:
目途 (also read 目処) means a prospect or target date and is more formal. 見当 means a rough estimate or guess.