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Glite Dictionary
to zoom in on

to zoom in on

26 3.7
To pay close attention to one small part or detail
  • phrasal verb
  • /zuːm ɪn ɒn/
: centrarse en
  • So what we're going to do in the analysis is zoom in on the level of recursion.
  • zoom in on the region

Yeah, let's let's perhaps zoom in on the microbiome for a moment here.

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Examples

Synonyms

to focus on
vsto zoom in on
∞ 2.0

Give most attention and effort to one person or task

attends closely to a small detail rather than broad attention
to settle on
vsto zoom in on
74 3.1

To fix your eyes or attention on one thing

actively direct close attention rather than simply becoming fixed
to zoom in
vsto zoom in on
  • Texting
64 3.7

To look closely at one part to see small details

gives special close attention either visually or mentally
to zero in
vsto zoom in on
50 4.7

To focus closely on a specific target

pays close attention generally not only precise technical targeting
to zero in on
vsto zoom in on
46 4.2

To give most attention to one person or thing

gives close attention but not necessarily all effort
to scope out
vsto zoom in on
  • Informal
34 5.4

To look carefully at a place or person to get information before you act

is about paying close attention to a single detail not surveying
to focalize
vsto zoom in on
  • Specialized
1 8.6

To make action or an effect happen mainly in one place

is everyday close attention across contexts not limited to science

Antonyms

to ignore
∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

to overlook
205 2.9

To not notice someone or something you should see

to disregard
106 3.9

Ignore something or someone on purpose

How Close

to scrutinize
  • US
69 6.2
to examine
834 2.5
to zoom in on
26 3.7
to focus on
∞ 2.0
to look at
∞ 1.0
to glance at
218 2.0

Surface Forms

zoom in on infinitive
zoomed in on past
zoomed in on past participle
zooming in on present participle
zooms in on third person singular

Morphology

zoom + in + on

The meaning 'to focus closely' is a metaphorical extension of the spatial/camera sense of 'zoom' combined with the directional/targeting function of 'in on', so a learner who knows the parts can often infer the idea of narrowing attention but must map motion/magnification onto attention. Because 'zoom' also has a basic sense of moving quickly and the prepositions are ambiguous, the connection is not fully predictable without prior exposure.

Etymology

Zoom in on comes from cameras and binoculars: when you zoom in, the lens makes a small part of the scene much bigger so you can see details. So, to zoom in on something means 'to focus closely' or 'to give special attention' to one part.