zero in on

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

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

3. 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]

Example Sentences

So I understand why Warner Bros. choose this season to zero in on.

From Los Angeles Times

But when I really close-read Annie’s hard-knock life, I couldn’t help but zero in on how bizarre it is—and how bizarre it is that we still love her so much.

From Slate

TV advertisements for Trump’s campaign zero in on the laugh, showing Harris’ face light up into a wide smile from different angles, often in slow motion, as if amusement is a crime.

From Salon

The plaintiffs say that instead of making fans pay for access to every game, the league should have provided a la carte options so subscribers could zero in on a specific team or game.

From Los Angeles Times

“There’s no issue more important than the tens of thousands of people sleeping in the street every night, so we need to zero in on that as much as possible,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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