hone in
Americanverb phrase
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to focus one’s attention more narrowly or precisely on a particular task, issue, etc. (usually followed by on).
When we started looking for a condo, our agent took time with us to hone in on what we really wanted and needed.
They run a workshop to help you hone in and understand the parts of the software that are most relevant for you.
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to find, reach, or strike a target in a precise way, as with a camera, weapon, location device, or other instrument (usually followed by on).
They’re working to improve cameras that can hone in on a single object or pick a person out of a crowd.
Usage
Although increasingly common even in educated speech and writing, the expression hone in is in fact a corruption of home in. Home in was used originally of weapons moving toward their target (or “home”) under the control of an automatic aiming mechanism, and became a metaphor for focusing one’s attention on an objective. The similarity in sound between home and hone , and the fact that the basic meaning of the verb hone is “to sharpen,” explain why people use hone in when they’re thinking about “sharpening” their focus or aim. Style guides criticize this use, however, and careful speakers and writers will avoid it.
Etymology
Origin of hone in
First recorded in 1965–70
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Instead of trying to fix problems, I was more able to just hone in on what I do best. And kind of groove those patterns instead of trying to fix old habits.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 2, 2026
As the company makes the transition, it will hone in on customers on its pro plan and higher subscription tiers, as the free tier is operationally expensive, it said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 18, 2026
The investigation will hone in on repeated prompts that urge users not to miss out on rewards or purchase time-limited offers, the watchdog said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 16, 2026
She expects investors to hone in on margins “as Supermicro targeting larger customers and larger sales opportunities may result in cost of sales rising, and margins compressing, leading to revenue variability.”
From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2025
The panda’s radio collar beams a signal that the tracking equipment can hone in on to provide the animal's location coordinates.
From "Camp Panda" by Catherine Thimmesh
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
