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What is the meaning of We're not out to get anybody? This is a message from a teacher to the student.

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I just edited the main message to add the context. – Bebeoix Mar 21 '12 at 4:55
A standard reference will answer this question. Google [ define "out to get" ] returns a link to a reputable dictionary definition as the first result and reports the definition in the search result. – MετάEd Mar 21 '12 at 5:03

closed as general reference by Will Hunting, MετάEd, Matt Эллен, TimLymington, Mitch Mar 21 '12 at 14:50

This question is too basic; it can be definitively and permanently answered by a single link to a standard internet reference source designed specifically to find that type of information. See the FAQ for guidance on how to improve it.

2 Answers

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If a teacher says to a group of students

We are not out to get anybody

he probably means

We are not here to punish anyone.

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Thank you very much Will Hunting, now I understand. – Bebeoix Mar 21 '12 at 5:15
up vote 4 down vote

It's similar to using these expressions:

We're not on a witch hunt...

We don't have a hidden agenda...

We're not targeting anyone...

We're just trying to determine the root of the problem...

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