# home in on

CEFR C1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/home-in-on
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to direct your attention or movement toward one specific thing or goal.

For teachers: to focus attention or movement precisely on a specific target or objective; often used in contexts of navigation, investigation, or problem-solving.

## Examples

- The police began to home in on the suspect.
- After hours of searching, the rescue team managed to home in on the pilot's radio signal.
- The researchers were finally able to home in on the specific gene responsible for the rare condition after years of broad data analysis.

## Pitfalls

- Not "We need to hone in on the problem." but "We need to home in on the problem." — while 'hone' means to sharpen a skill, 'home in on' is the correct phrase for moving toward or focusing on a target.

## Usage notes

- usually followed by 'on' and a specific target, goal, or piece of information.
- Teaching tip: note the common confusion with 'hone in on'; 'home' is the original and more accurate term, relating to a homing pigeon finding its way to a target.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.