zero in

Etymology
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).

Verb

 * 1) To focus one's aim; to zoom in and center (on something).
 * 2) To successfully narrow down a search (for).
 * 3) To concentrate or focus one's attention (on a task).
 * 4)  To converge (on).
 * 1) To successfully narrow down a search (for).
 * 2) To concentrate or focus one's attention (on a task).
 * 3)  To converge (on).
 * 1) To concentrate or focus one's attention (on a task).
 * 2)  To converge (on).
 * 1)  To converge (on).
 * 1)  To converge (on).
 * 1)  To converge (on).
 * 1)  To converge (on).

Usage notes
Often, though not exclusively, in the combination "zero in on (something)".

Translations

 * Navajo: yikʼizhdiilniiʼ