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

Yet long before the issue of fraud became a galvanizing issue for the right — and fodder for conservative influencers — federal prosecutors in Minnesota had zeroed in on Bock. —Michael Kaplan, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026

In between corduroy suits and Fair Isle cardigans, the brand has zeroed in on padded vests as the key transitional piece to layer over the looks, conveying a sense of practicality without forgoing style. —Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026

The two locations the Mavericks have zeroed in on are downtown and the Valley View Center property, a sprawling 110-acre site at the corner of Preston Road and Interstate 635. —Eric Prisbell, Dallas Morning News, 20 Jan. 2026

While Johnson doesn’t zero in on one player in terms of a comparison, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James recently offered up a historical parallel. —Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 19 Jan. 2026

Rhymes for zero in on

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