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

Authorities later zeroed in on Wright and Giebler, who co-owned the Charles-Anthony Funeral Home and were widely regarded as brothers in the town of Florence — but outed as romantic partners to the community at large after a criminal investigation into Griffy's death. —Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025

The meetings were initially slow going, but the team ended up zeroing in on a few key ideas, including the notion of consequences. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 24 Nov. 2025

When the show’s creators zero in on those feelings, something a lot more specific and wistful than a love story between two strangers, the piece comes alive. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 20 Nov. 2025

On March 24 a tornado of exceptional strength blew in from the west, leaped across the Mississippi River ten miles away and zeroed in on this sorry little town, destroying almost all of it in thirty minutes of shattering Friday-night chaos. —Literary Hub, 19 Nov. 2025

Rhymes for zero in on

• agamemnon
• automaton
• diencephalon
• panopticon
• phenomenon
• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon