Bull's-eye
n.capable, joyfuleveryday
Meaning 1
The central circle of a target or a hit landing there.
Reach for it when describing exact accuracy in target sport
Her final arrow struck the bull's-eye in a gusting crosswind.
Choose between these
4- playful
direct hit
an object lands exactly on the intended point
not when Direct hit carries military overtones and may describe any target area.
- everyday
dead center
the exact middle rather than the scoring ring is meant
not when Dead center can be correct even where no formal bull's-eye exists.
- professional
center
neutral description of the target area is needed
not when Center does not distinguish the marked highest-value circle.
- professional
ten-ring
archery scoring terminology is appropriate for the discipline
not when Ten-ring is sport-specific and is not identical across target systems.
Meaning 2
A perfectly accurate answer, choice, or result.
Reach for it when praising figurative precision
The revised headline was a bull's-eye for the intended audience.
Choose between these
4- playful
informal praise for exact judgment fits the voice
not when Spot-on is too casual for measurement or formal evaluation.
- everyday
exactly right
plain language should praise accuracy without metaphor
not when The phrase lacks the sense of one decisive successful result.
- professional
a result meets its intended objective
not when On target can mean merely within an acceptable range.
- formal
perfect result
the outcome fully matches the goal
not when Perfect is stronger than bull's-eye when minor limitations remain.
Said against
3- miss
- outer ring
- misjudgment
It naturally appears in
3- hit the bull's-eye
Her second throw hit the bull's-eye cleanly.
- bull's-eye target
The bull's-eye target stood beyond the line of trees.
- score a bull's-eye
A careful release helped him score a bull's-eye.
Where this comes from
- Wiktionary, English noun sense 1: center of a target opens in a new tab for meaning 1 · retrieved 2026-07-26
- Wiktionary, English noun figurative sense: exact success opens in a new tab for meaning 2 · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.