ENGLISH
REFERENCE

zero in

idiom
Meaning

To converge (on).


Origin

disputed origin

The phrase possibly comes from adjusting a sighting mechanism of a firearm to minimise the discrepancy between where the sight points and where a bullet lands on a target. Another possible source is the Cartesian coordinate system in mathematics. In the coordinate system, points are defined relative to an origin (point of reference) labeled O, which has an (x,y) coordinate pair of (0,0).

Examples
SIMPLE

The dogs zero in on the treat in my hand.

CONTEXTUAL

As the deadline approached, the team zeroed in on fixing the most serious bugs first.

COMPLEX

With the evidence mounting, the detective's attention zeroed in on the quiet neighbor who had seemed so helpful at first.

Anchors to
Related idioms3entries
  1. 01

    fold under zero pressure

    To give up without or with little reason.

  2. 02

    give zero fucks

    To not care; to not give a shit.

  3. 03

    go from zero to hero

    To change from a negative to a positive outcome; to improve one's fortunes significantly.

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