Bound for

 

Q:

I would like to know what the expression "to be bound for" means.

Patricia Mazzoni
Posted 22 February 2003
A:

When you are "bound for" a place, it means that the place is your destination and that you are on your way to that destination.

So if you say, "Mary is bound for New York," it means that she is on her way to New York, that she has left for, or is about to leave for, New York, that she's headed to New York.

"Bound for" also has a more figurative meaning:

"John is bound for trouble" means that the speaker thinks that John is on his way to trouble.

"Harry is bound for success" means that the speaker thinks that Harry is on his way to success.

"Rudy is bound for the presidency" means that the speaker thinks that Rudy is on the track to becoming president.

I hope that you are bound for success in your life.