zero in on

phrasal verb

zeroed in on; zeroing in on; zeroes in on
1
: to direct all of one's attention to (someone or something)
Scientists are hoping to zero in on a cure.
2
: to aim something (such as a gun or camera) directly at (someone or something)
The gunner zeroed in on the target.

Examples of zero in on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The federal investigations into the company aren’t new, and were first reported by the Miami Herald last year, but the SEC filings in February and April provide more information about the subpoenas and what U.S. authorities are zeroing in on at LifeWallet. Ben Wieder, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024 Government officials also zeroed in on the need to address climate change. Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2024 One possibility is that some gold investors are instead zeroing in on the prospect of a hard landing in the US economy based on the recent data, and rushing to buy bullion for its role as a haven. Mark Burton, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2024 Here, Mui and Lai zeroed in on this idea of simplicity with maxi skirts, easy separates, and their own contemporary version of the Hakka Liangmao hat. Vogue, 6 Apr. 2024 Far-right lawmakers first zeroed in on the FRA as a potential vehicle to block Planned Parenthood from receiving state funding in 2021, when a debate over the inclusion of that provision forced lawmakers into a special session. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2024 The State Auditor’s Office, meanwhile, zeroed in on San Diego County jails in February 2022. Calmatters, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024 Some conservatives in the U.S. are likewise zeroing in on the scene, calling it a rare example of Hollywood showing what happens when collectivist ideologies are taken too far. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Mar. 2024 The annual convention of the National Association of Theater Owners has zeroed in on the veteran star to receive this year’s Cinema Icon Award. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'zero in on.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Dictionary Entries Near zero in on

Cite this Entry

“Zero in on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zero%20in%20on. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

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