Make Your Editor Cry: Honed In On vs. Homed In On

Make Your Editor Cry: Honed In On vs. Homed In On

To “home in on” something means to move toward a goal, such as “The missile homed in on its target.”

To “hone” is to sharpen by means of deburring as with a whetstone.

The correct expression is “homed in on” or “home in on.”

Incorrect:

The missile honed in on its target.

Correct:

The missile homed in on its target.