focus

bring (something) into focus

1. To make an adjustment so that a viewed object can be seen clearly, as with instruments that use lenses, or by digital or other means on a screen. You need to bring the vase of flowers into focus so that it doesn't come out blurry in the pictures. The eye doctor adjusted his machine and brought the eye chart into focus for me. Can you bring the footage into focus so we can see the perpetrator's face?
2. To cause something to be better or more clearly understood or seen in a new perspective. Her passionate speech about the environment really brought the importance of conservation efforts into focus.
See also: bring, focus

come into focus

1. To be seen clearly, as via adjustments to instruments that use lenses, or by digital or other means on a screen. No, that's not right—the vase of flowers still hasn't come into focus. The eye doctor adjusted his machine so that the eye chart would come into focus for me. If the footage never comes into focus, we won't get a good look at the perpetrator's face after all.
2. To be better or more clearly understood or seen in a new perspective. The importance of conservation efforts has really come into focus for a lot of the students, thanks to the Chelsea's passionate speech about the environment.
See also: come, focus

focus on (someone or something)

1. To direct and adjust the lens of something so that one can see through it clearly. I can't seem to focus the camera on the tree—it's still all blurry.
2. To center on or be dedicated to something in particular. Have you decided which topics the meeting will focus on?
3. To cause someone or something to center on or be dedicated to something in particular. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "focus" and "on." I think we need still need to focus our efforts on fundraising right now.
See also: focus, on

get into focus

1. To become able to be seen clearly, as via adjustments to instruments that use lenses, or by digital or other means on a screen. No, that's not right—the vase of flowers still hasn't gotten into focus. The eye doctor adjusted his machine so that the eye chart would get into focus for me. If the footage never gets into focus, we won't have a good look at the perpetrator's face after all.
2. To make such an adjustment so that a viewed object can be seen clearly. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "get" and "into." The eye doctor got the eye chart into focus for me by adjusting his machine.
3. To be better or more clearly understood or seen in a new perspective. The importance of conservation efforts has really come into focus for a lot of the students, thanks to the Chelsea's passionate speech about the environment.
See also: focus, get

in focus

1. Visually crisp and clear, typically of something seen through a camera or other such adjustable device. If the vase of flowers isn't in focus now, it'll come out blurry in the pictures. When I told the eye doctor that the eye chart wasn't in focus, he adjusted his machine some more. Yeah, but if the footage isn't in focus, we'll never be able to make out the perpetrator's face.
2. Better or more clearly understood or seen in a new perspective. The importance of conservation efforts is now in focus for a lot of the students, thanks to Chelsea's passionate speech about the environment.
See also: focus

out of focus

1. Not able to be seen with clear, sharp definition. Someone go tell them that the film is out of focus! I don't need my glasses all the time, but everything is slightly out of focus without them.
2. Not able to produce a clear, sharp image. Who's been messing with my telescope? It's completely out of focus! I've tried adjusting it over and over again, but the projector is still out of focus.
3. Not clearly perceived, understood, or explained. Let's try to bring the discussion back to the topic at hand, because I think things are getting out of focus. As the professor continued rambling on, the point of her lecture started to get out of focus.
See also: focus, of, out
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

bring something into focus

 
1. Lit. to make something seen through lenses sharply visible. I adjusted the binoculars until I brought the bird sharply into focus. The flowers were brought into focus by adjusting the controls.
2. Fig. to make something clear and understandable. I think we will have a better discussion of the problem if you will say a few words to bring it more sharply into focus. Please try to bring your major point into focus earlier in the essay.
See also: bring, focus

focus on someone or something

 
1. Lit. to aim and adjust a lens (including the lens in the eye) onto someone or something. I focused on the flower and pressed the shutter release. I focused on Fred and snapped just as he moved.
2. Fig. to dwell on the subject of someone or something. Let's focus on the question of the electric bill, if you don't mind. Let us focus on Fred and discuss his progress.
See also: focus, on

focus something on someone or something

 
1. Lit. to aim a lens at someone or something and adjust the lens for clarity. I focused the binoculars on the bird and stood there in awe at its beauty. He focused the camera on Jane and snapped the shutter.
2. Fig. to direct attention to someone or something. Could we please focus the discussion on the matter at hand for a few moments? Let's focus our attention on Tom and discuss his achievements so far.
See also: focus, on

*in focus

 
1. Lit. [of an image] seen clearly and sharply. (*Typically: be ~; come [into] ~; get [into] ~; get something [into] ~.) I have the slide in focus and can see the bacteria clearly.
2. Lit. [for optics, such as lenses, or an optical device, such as a microscope] to be aligned to allow something to be seen clearly and sharply. I've adjusted the telescope; Mars is now in focus.
3. Fig. [of problems, solutions, appraisals of people or things] perceived or understood clearly. (*Typically: be ~; get [into] ~; get something [into] ~.) Now that things are in focus, I feel better about the world.
See also: focus

*out of focus

blurred or fuzzy; seen indistinctly. (*Typically: be ~; get ~; go ~.) What I saw through the binoculars was sort of out of focus. The scene was out of focus.
See also: focus, of, out
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

focus on

v.
1. To orient or adjust something toward some particular point or thing: I focused the camera on the car across the street.
2. To direct someone or something at a particular point or purpose: The company director wanted to focus the staff's attention on finding a solution to the problem.
3. To be directed at some particular point or purpose: The manager focused on the sales force's performance.
See also: focus, on
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • bring (something) into focus
  • bring into focus
  • get into focus
  • come into focus
  • kick around
  • paperweight
  • zoom out
  • a bit of crackling
  • FOD
  • (as) dry as dust
References in periodicals archive
Software solutions from Focus Softnet are optimized for all forms of mobile, connected devices including thin-PC clients, with remote access.
Focus Softnet to showcase enterprise product at Gitex
As parents, it is our job to continually encourage our young athletes to focus on what's in front of them.
Putting sports into focus
After the pretest, the students received specific attentional focus instructions according to their assigned group.
External Focus of Attention Enhances Children's Learning of a Classical Ballet Pirouette
"Ever since Focus Softnet set up base in the UAE, we have
Focus Softnet to shine spotlight on Focus 8 at GITEX
To look into the specific demands of an Ironman triathlon we analyzed attentional focus separately for swimming, cycling and running.
Attentional focus strategies of triathletes during the Ironman World Championships
It is interesting to note that some of the researchers believe that the internal focus in beginners is more useful than the external focus [17, 18].
Comparing the effects of internal, external and prefer focus of attention on the elite shooters' performance
It has been observed that leaders with a strong outward focus are both good listeners and also good questioners.
Leadership--a capsule view of a three-step consideration
Any queries in relation to the Offer, should be directed to the Focus Offer information line on 1800 648 622 (toll-free within Australia) or +61 2 8256 3377 (international) between 9.00am and 5.00pm (AEST), Monday to Friday.
Focus Minerals Limited (ASX:FML) Now Holds Up To 84.57% in Crescent Gold Limited (ASX:CRE), Offer Extended
The company believes that organisations using Focus i would not require any external reporting tool.
Focus Softnet to promote ERP and customised enterprise solutions at GITEX 2011
We performed a three-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), where regulatory focus, bundle pricing, and need levels acted as the independent variables, and perceived loss for product A, for product B, and for the complete bundle were dependent variables.
The effects of regulatory focus and bundle-pricing framing on consumers' perceptions of loss
Here's Focus' offering for spring, here's what we're doing for fall."
New units come into focus
Focus i features comprehensive modules such as Financial Management, Sales & Distribution Management, Procurement & Purchase Planning, Inventory & Warehouse Management, Manufacturing Resource Planning and Human Resource Management & Payroll.
Focus Softnet Launches Focus i -- The First Mid-tier ERP Fully Integrated With BI Tools
The Ford Focus has been hugely popular ever since it was launched more than ten years ago.
Ford: Giving customers what they want
To be based on the forthcoming ST version of the revamped Focus, the new RS model will be wheeled out in public in concept guise for the first time in mid-2008, said Ford - which could herald a British International Motor Show debut for a car that is sure to set enthusiasts' pulses racing.
The RS is on its way; ... but not until 2009!
Digital SLR cameras are easy to use because you actually look through the lens to frame and focus. But stick one on a telescope and the immediate reaction is, "The image is dim!
Focusing your DSLR on the sky: digital SLR cameras make deep-sky shooting easy, but first you have to focus them at infinity. Here's how