Phrasal verb
key in on
Definition
phrasal verb. to focus closely on something important or noticeable, often in a context of analysis or attention.
phrasal verb. to concentrate on or identify a specific detail or aspect; transitive phrasal verb with inseparable particles, typically used in contexts requiring deliberate attention or analytical focus.
Examples
“The detective keyed in on the suspect's accent.”
“During the meeting, the manager keyed in on the budget issues.”
“The analyst keyed in on the subtle inconsistencies in the report, leading to the discovery of fraud.”
Examples
simple
“The detective keyed in on the suspect's accent.”
contextual
“During the meeting, the manager keyed in on the budget issues.”
complex
“The analyst keyed in on the subtle inconsistencies in the report, leading to the discovery of fraud.”
Usage
typically followed by a specific detail or aspect being focused on.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'focus on' (more general) and 'zero in on' (more intense); 'key in on' implies a deliberate analytical focus rather than casual attention.
Pitfall
He keyed in the details.
He keyed in on the details.
'on' is required to indicate the focus; 'key in' alone means to input data into a system.
Phrasal verb
Particles
in on
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
key + in + on + object