prospect; likely candidate; something in mind
Refers to a person, thing, or plan that one has in mind as a target or likely choice. Often used in the phrase 目星をつける (to have an idea or to identify a likely candidate).
We have a suspect in mind.
次の旅行先の目星をつけておいて。
Think about where you'd like to go for the next trip.
Standard kanji spelling.
Mixed kanji-kana spelling, sometimes used for clarity or emphasis.
Compound of 目 (eye) and 星 (star), literally 'eye-star'. The exact origin is uncertain, but it likely developed from the idea of fixing one's gaze on a target, like a star used for navigation.