zero in on

USAGE SUMMARY

"zero in on" is an idiom that is commonly used in written English.
It means to focus your attention on something. Example: I decided to zero in on my studies and put extra energy into doing well in my classes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Long Islanders into big beef should zero in on the gaucho rib eye (for two).

The New York Times

And that's what we wanted to zero in on.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

GAZETTE: Why did you zero in on insulin specifically?

Harvard University

Asthma investigators zero in on the nervous system.

Columbia University

And if teams zero in on him, I hurt them.

The New York Times - Sports

Let me zero in on that final third.

The New York Times

Let me zero in on what these findings mean for California.

University of California, Berkeley

With a world of choices, diners can zero in on their favorites.

The New York Times

The numbers are based on global climate patterns and can't zero in on anything that fine.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

So, make sure you do your research to zero-in on the best VPN service.

Stanford University

That's why we've developed a system to zero-in on suspicious activity.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "zero in on" when you want to emphasize a precise and direct focus on a specific target or problem. It's particularly effective when highlighting the narrowing down of possibilities.

Common error

While "zero in on" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in very informal conversations where simpler alternatives like "focus on" or "concentrate on" might sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "zero in on" functions primarily as a dynamic verb, indicating an action of focusing or concentrating attention with precision. Ludwig examples show it in contexts where there's a narrowing down or targeting of something specific.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

32%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "zero in on" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe the act of focusing attention with precision. As Ludwig AI explains, it is commonly used in written English and implies a narrowing down of focus to a specific target or subject. While it is frequently found in News & Media and Academic contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various communications. When writing, remember that simpler alternatives may be preferable in very informal contexts. The best practice is to reserve "zero in on" for situations where you want to emphasize the precise and direct nature of the focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

zoom in on

Similar to "zero in on" but conveys a visual or analytical approach to focusing.

hone in on

Implies refining the focus to become more precise, similar to "zero in on" but perhaps with less urgency.

home in on

Synonymous with "hone in on", indicating a gradual and precise focusing.

focus on

A more general term indicating concentration on something, lacking the precision implied by "zero in on".

pinpoint

Suggests identifying something exactly, often after a period of searching.

concentrate on

Similar to "focus on" but suggests a more deliberate and sustained effort of mental focus.

target

Emphasizes aiming towards a specific goal or objective.

center on

Suggests that something is the main point of attention or discussion.

direct attention to

A more formal way of indicating where focus should be placed.

fixate on

Indicates an obsessive level of focus, which can be more intense than "zero in on".

FAQs

How to use "zero in on" in a sentence?

You can use "zero in on" to describe focusing attention on a specific thing, for example: "The detective decided to "zero in on" the most suspicious suspect."

What can I say instead of "zero in on"?

You can use alternatives like "focus on", "concentrate on", or "hone in on" depending on the context.

Is "zero in on" formal or informal?

"Zero in on" is neither strictly formal nor informal; it's suitable for a variety of contexts, from news articles to academic papers to everyday conversation. However, simpler alternatives might be preferable in very casual settings.

What's the difference between "zero in on" and "focus on"?

While both phrases indicate directing attention, ""zero in on"" implies a more precise and targeted focus than the more general "focus on". "Zero in on" suggests narrowing down from a broader scope.