Meaning & use

zero in

phrase·Academic

To focus attention or effort closely and precisely on a particular target, problem, or detail.

See it in a sentence

The detective zeroed in on a small discrepancy in the suspect's alibi.

Investors zeroed in on the company's declining sales during the earnings call.

A note on using this word

Zero in is nearly always followed by 'on' and comes originally from adjusting a gun sight onto a target.

Words with a similar meaning

focus onhone in on

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Make it your own

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