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

Nearly six months after its release, the duo have zeroed in on a new project to direct, and are in talks to helm Long Lost, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. —Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025

The pageant world has zeroed in on a controversy that erupted at a Miss Universe pre-competition briefing involving pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil’s treatment of Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025

The focus on affordability spanned ideology, as Mamdani, a socialist, as well as centrist Democrats Sherrill and Spanberger, all zeroed in on the economy during their campaigns. —Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025

Carpenter quickly zeroed in on what appeared to be a human femur and Miller's references to digging up items himself. —Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 5 Nov. 2025

Rhymes for zero in on

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