Directed arm to fine area on animal's middle (4,3)
I believe the answer is:
took aim
'directed arm' is the definition.
(directed a firearm)
'to fine area on animal's middle' is the wordplay.
'fine' becomes 'ok' (synonyms).
'area' becomes 'a' (maths abbreviation).
'on' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'middle' says to take the centre.
The middle of 'animal' is 'im'.
'to'+'ok'+'a'+'im'='TOOK AIM'
(Other definitions for took aim that I've seen before include "Pointed weapon (at target)" , "Pointed towards" , "Prepared to shoot" , "Lined up" .)