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home in

B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words

Move or aim straight at a target, or pay very close attention to one specific thing

Literal meaning: To navigate back to one's home base, like a homing pigeon

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic neutral

To move with precision directly toward a specific target or destination

"The rescue helicopter homed in on the signal from the life raft."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 idiomatic neutral

To direct attention or focus precisely on a specific issue, problem, or detail

"The auditors quickly homed in on the discrepancies in the financial records."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Always followed by 'on'. Derived from the concept of a homing pigeon or a missile following a signal to its target. Common in both literal (aircraft, missiles) and figurative (identifying a problem, focusing attention) senses. Do not confuse with 'hone in', which many consider non-standard.

Commonly used with

target problem issue cause source signal

Forms

Base
home in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
homes in
he/she/it
Past simple
homed in
yesterday
Past participle
homed in
have + pp
-ing form
homing in
continuous

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Synonyms

zero in on focus on pinpoint target converge on lock onto

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Practice "home in" on Looplines