zero in on
Idioms-
Aim precisely at a target, as in They zeroed in on the last snipers . [c. 1940]
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Direct one's attention to, concentrate or focus on, as in We must zero in on the exact combination of ingredients , or The whole class zeroed in on the new assignment . This usage transfers aiming a firearm to directing one's attention. [Mid-1900s]
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Converge on, close in on, as in The children zeroed in on the electric train display . [Mid-1900s]
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.
With new technology, scientists can zero in on this split focus.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026
Some commenters zero in on seemingly inconsequential details.
From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026
"There's a wonderful relationship between the mother and daughter, and we really tried to zero in on the emotional horror, like to really make you feel it," Williamson said.
From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026
While many in the industry zero in on turning a profit, Zelos is taking advantage of Alibaba’s artificial-intelligence capacity and logistics network to leapfrog its technology.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026
What was worse was when he chose to zero in on one person in particular.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
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.
