hone

hone for (someone or something)

To yearn for someone or something. She honed for her boyfriend the whole week he was gone. In this heat, I find myself honing for some ice cream. Since when did you start to hone for adventure? You used to be such a homebody.

See also: for, hone

hone in

1. To focus or concentrate on something. It's such a complex problem that it's hard to hone in on just one part of it. I'm not surprised Taylor bought a house—once she hones in on a goal, she accomplishes it. There was so much wonderful stuff in that movie, so I don't know why you're honing in on one single problematic scene.

2. To make progress toward some goal or end. I think the detective is honing in on us, Jimmy. We better turn ourselves in! A: "I honed in on my studies this year, and I think I'm actually going to finish with straight A's!" B: "Isn't it funny how that works?" We've got to move out, men. I'm getting reports that enemy troops have honed in on our location.

See also: hone

hone in on (something)

To focus or concentrate on something. A common misspelling of "home in on (something)." Their new heat-seeking missiles can hone in on targets from over 3,000 miles away. Scientists said they are honing in on a cure to the terrible disease. There was so much wonderful stuff in that movie, so I don't know why you're honing in on one single problematic scene.

See also: hone, on

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

hone for someone or something

Rur. to long for someone or something. Tom: What's wrong with Jane? Mary: She's honing for her sweetheart. Jimmy was honing for the red bicycle in the toy store window.

See also: for, hone

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

hone in

v.

1. To advance toward some target, goal, or desired state: The police are honing in on the location of the gang. We don't have the answer yet, but by working together we're definitely honing in.

2. To direct one's attention; focus: The lawyer honed in on the discrepancies in my testimony.

See also: hone

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.