zero in on
Lock onto exactly
Zero in on means to focus precisely on something, narrowing attention until it's the only target.
The phrase comes from adjusting a weapon's sights to hit exactly where aimed.
You can zero in on a problem, a suspect, or the source of a noise: Investigators zeroed in on the accountant.
It implies progressive refinement—getting closer and closer to the mark.
- targetObject of pursuit
- lock onAcquire and track automatically
- take aimDirect toward target
- set sights onDetermine to achieve
- concentrateReduced, potent form
hone in · home in · winnow · narrow down · aim · pinpoint · calibrate · laser focus · fixate · pursue · isolate · crosshairs · refine · direct · prioritize · spotlight · exclude · zoom in
- pursuitchase, chasing, pursuit, chase down, pursue
- arrive atreach, come to, get to, pull into
- magnifyzoom in, magnify, enlarge, close-up, magnification
- selection wordschoose, select, handpick, cherry-pick, single out
zero in onscatter
Distribute in random directions
lose focus · defocus · wander · diffuse · disperse
zero in onlose sight of
Fail to keep observing
miss · miss the mark · overlook · neglect · ignore
zero, zeros, subzero, zeroed, zeroing, absolute zero, nonzero, zeroth, ground zero