zero in on

Idioms  

1. Aim precisely at a target, as in They zeroed in on the last snipers . [c. 1940]

2. 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]

3. Converge on, close in on, as in The children zeroed in on the electric train display . [Mid-1900s]

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Example Sentences

To illustrate Nishio-san’s account of how she lost her family during World War II, animators Han and Vallade zero in on the dish she is cooking: Chopped vegetables fall into a pot like missiles, a gust of pot steam represents a fiery aftermath, rice under water shows how Nishio-san had to dig her way out of being buried alive.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s no banjo, slide, or pedal-steel guitar here, and the arrangements zero in on simplicity, conveying harmonic structure and mood with only essential instrumentation, which keeps the emphasis on the songwriting.

From The Wall Street Journal

Lauri, how did you zero in on the shots you wanted to include in the book?

From Los Angeles Times

This might have been a great help to readers who are eager to zero in on particular parts of Justice Kennedy’s jurisprudence—say, his work in Casey and other abortion cases, which surely will draw the most attention.

From The Wall Street Journal

Then zero in on trip-cancellation and trip-interruption coverage.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• address
• design
• direct
• focus
• intend
• mean
• plan
• propose
• target
• try
• want