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
In recent years, the public health community has zeroed in on housing’s effects in particular, as costs have shot up and evidence has mounted about the destructive effects of housing instability.
—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune Well, 21 May 2024
Stewart zeroed in on how conservative media reacted to the criticism, playing clips of right-wing media pundits claiming the left was fueling an attack on free speech.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 21 May 2024
The software then zeroes in on an anticipated filter replacement date.
—Joe Rubino, The Denver Post, 17 May 2024
They are expected to zero in on Cohen's extensive credibility issues.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 14 May 2024
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will zero in on the highlights of the tour.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2024
To explain the increase, the Fed’s researchers zeroed in on credit utilization rate, or how much of one’s credit a borrower is currently using (someone with a $10,000 limit and $4,000 in charges would be using 40%).
—Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 14 May 2024
Dominique Davis, a San Mateo County deputy district attorney, zeroed in on testimony from a psychologist who concluded just days before the hearing began in mid-April that Patel instead suffered from schizoaffective disorder.
—Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 10 May 2024
The leaders of public schools in New York City and Montgomery County, Md., are also expected to appear before the committee, the first time K-12 districts have taken stage in House hearings zeroing in on the response by schools to student protests after the Oct. 7 attacks.
—Kurt Streeter, New York Times, 7 May 2024
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune Well, 21 May 2024
Stewart zeroed in on how conservative media reacted to the criticism, playing clips of right-wing media pundits claiming the left was fueling an attack on free speech.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 21 May 2024
The software then zeroes in on an anticipated filter replacement date.
—Joe Rubino, The Denver Post, 17 May 2024
They are expected to zero in on Cohen's extensive credibility issues.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 14 May 2024
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will zero in on the highlights of the tour.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2024
To explain the increase, the Fed’s researchers zeroed in on credit utilization rate, or how much of one’s credit a borrower is currently using (someone with a $10,000 limit and $4,000 in charges would be using 40%).
—Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 14 May 2024
Dominique Davis, a San Mateo County deputy district attorney, zeroed in on testimony from a psychologist who concluded just days before the hearing began in mid-April that Patel instead suffered from schizoaffective disorder.
—Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 10 May 2024
The leaders of public schools in New York City and Montgomery County, Md., are also expected to appear before the committee, the first time K-12 districts have taken stage in House hearings zeroing in on the response by schools to student protests after the Oct. 7 attacks.
—Kurt Streeter, New York Times, 7 May 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 31 May. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share