zoom
zoom across
To move across (something or some place) very speedily or hastily. I looked up just in time to see a shooting star zoom across the evening sky. The teacher zoomed across to snatch the scissors out of the child's hands. The film opens on a shot of a crashed spaceship, and the camera zooms across to show all of the destruction left in its wake.
See also: across, zoom
zoom along
1. To progress forward at a very quick pace. The ambulance zoomed along to get the victim to the hospital in time. We should be able to just zoom along in the glider if we don't encounter any crosswinds.
2. To proceed along the course of something at a very quick pace. The we were zooming along the road so fast that a police officer pulled us over. A number of Jet Skis zoomed along the river.
See also: zoom
zoom by
1. To pass physically by (someone or something) with great speed. He zoomed by before I could ask him about our paychecks. The police cars zoomed by our house in pursuit of the criminals.
2. Of time, to pass very easily or pleasantly, as if going fast. Wow, the afternoon completely zoomed by! Being stuck inside with the kids when it's raining can be a drag, but try coming up with inventive new games to play with them and the day will zoom by.
See also: by, zoom
zoom in (on someone or something)
To make an object or image look larger or closer through the use of an optical device or a digital simulation. The pioneering sports cameraman was known for zooming in on the ball when it was in the air. Can you zoom in and sharpen the image a bit? I want to get a look at the suspect's face.
See also: someone, zoom
zoom off
To leave or depart very quickly or hastily, especially by driving. The criminals zoomed off just before the police arrived. He zoomed off as soon as the light turned green.
See also: off, zoom
zoom out
1. To make an object or image look smaller or farther away or to produce a wider perspective of it through the use of an optical device or a digital simulation. The film opens on a peaceful, ordinary home, before the camera zooms out and we see the chaos spreading across the city around it. Try zooming out a little bit so you can see both pages of the document on the screen at the same time.
2. To leave or exit from something or some place very rapidly or hastily. I was just about to walk into the bank when a very suspicious-looking person zoomed out carrying a large duffel bag. I hate having to zoom out of the house like this in the morning.
See also: out, zoom
zoom over
1. To move or travel above something or some place very speedily or hastily. We were made nervous by the huge number of fighter planes zooming over us. The rocket zoomed over the countryside as it approached its target.
2. To move very speedily or hastily to the place where someone or something is. I zoomed over to the hospital as soon as I got the call. There's no rush, so you don't need to zoom over right this second.
See also: over, zoom
zoom over to (someone or something)
1. To move very speedily or hastily to the place where someone or something is. I zoomed over to the hospital as soon as I got the call. There's no need to zoom over to the office right this second. It can wait until Monday.
2. To send or deliver someone or something to someone, something, or some place very quickly. I'll zoom those documents over to you as soon as possible. She zoomed the child over to the emergency room when his fever reached 107 degrees.
See also: over, zoom
zoom past
1. To pass physically by (someone or something) with great speed. He zoomed past before I could ask him about our paychecks. The police cars zoomed past our house in pursuit of the criminals.
2. Of time, to seem to pass very quickly. Is it time to go already? Wow, class really zoomed past today. I remember that summer felt like an eternity when I was a kid. Now it just zooms past.
See also: past, zoom
zoom through
1. To move or travel through (something or some place) very rapidly or hastily. The kid zoomed through the hallways on his skateboard. You don't have to make sure every inch of the house is clean—just zoom through and make sure it's relatively tidy. Sorry I didn't reach out to you. I was zooming through Minneapolis on my way to Wisconsin, so I didn't have time to stop.
2. To complete or make progress through (some task or activity) very quickly or hastily. I zoomed through the book when I was in high school, so I don't really remember anything that happens in it. We need to be sure there aren't any errors in the manuscript, so please don't just zoom through when you are proofreading it.
See also: through, zoom
zoom up
1. To travel upward or up along something very rapidly. The sports car zoomed up the winding mountain road. The rocket's engines ignited, and it zoomed up into the evening sky.
2. To move up to (someone or something) very rapidly and come to a stop directly beside or in front (of them or it). A black SUV zoomed up and carried the three bank robbers off to safety. Tim zoomed up to me on his bike and handed me the letter.
See also: up, zoom
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
zoom across (something)
to run or move across something very fast. The missile zoomed across the sky. We looked at the sky just as a comet zoomed across.
See also: across, zoom
zoom along to
move along very rapidly. The bus zoomed along rapidly all night long. Let's zoom along while the road is clear.
See also: zoom
zoom in
(on someone or something)1. . and pan in (on someone or something) to move in to a close-up picture of someone or something, using a zoom lens or a similar lens. The camera zoomed in on the love scene. The camera operator panned in slowly.
2. . to fly or move rapidly at someone or something. The hawk zoomed in on the sparrow. The angry bees zoomed in on Jane and stung her. When the door opened, the cat zoomed in.
3. . to concentrate on a matter related to someone or a problem. Let's zoom in on this matter of debt. She zoomed in and dealt quickly with the problem at hand.
See also: zoom
zoom off
to leave in a hurry. Sorry, I have to zoom off. We will zoom off soon.
See also: off, zoom
zoom out
1. Sl. to lose control. I nearly zoomed out when I got the news. Fred zoomed out and started screaming at John.
2. Go to pan out.
See also: out, zoom
zoom over someone or something
to fly over someone or something at high speed. The plane zoomed over the treetops. A small bird zoomed over the hikers, shrieking wildly.
See also: over, zoom
zoom past someone or something
to run or move past someone or something very rapidly. The runners zoomed past the spectators. Our train zoomed past town after town.
See also: past, zoom
zoom someone or something (over) to someone
to send something to someone very fast. Please use my car to zoom Molly over to the bank. Would you zoom this package to the downtown office?
See also: zoom
zoom through
(something)1. . to pass through a town or some other location very fast. Don't just zoom through these little towns. Stop and explore one or two. We didn't stop. We just zoomed through.
2. . to work one's way through something very rapidly. She zoomed through the reading assignment and went on to something else. Jeff can open a book and zoom through in record time.
See also: through, zoom
zoom up
to drive or pull up to a place. A car zoomed up, and seven kids got out. Let's zoom up to the door and see if she's home.
See also: up, zoom
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
zoom in on
1. Obtain a close up view of the subject with a camera, as in The TV people zoomed in on the Olympic gold medalist. [Mid-1900s]
2. Focus on, examine closely, as in The moderator got the panelists to zoom in on the health-care issue. [Second half of 1900s]
See also: on, zoom
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
zoom by
v.
1. To pass quickly, as of a moving object or an interval of time: The hours zoom by when you're doing a job you enjoy.
2. To pass someone or something quickly: He zoomed by us in a car and didn't even stop to see if we needed a ride!
See also: by, zoom
zoom in
v.
1. To simulate movement toward an object with or as if with a zoom lens: The director zoomed in on a face in the crowd. The shot zooms in through a window to a family sitting at a table.
2. To increase the apparent size of part of an image of something in order to view it more closely, as when using a magnifying lens: The camera can't zoom in far enough to capture their expressions. Zoom in on this part of the document too see whether the text lines up with the illustration.
3. To enter rapidly: The firefighting helicopter zoomed in to pick up more water.
4. zoom in on To narrow and intensify the examination of someone or something: In our presentation we zoomed in on the financial problems facing the company.
See also: zoom
zoom off
v.
To leave or drive off rapidly: They just zoomed off without saying goodbye. I zoomed off in my sports car.
See also: off, zoom
zoom out
v.
1. To simulate movement away from an object with or as if with a zoom lens: The camera zoomed out from the house to reveal the vast landscape.
2. To decrease the apparent size of part of an image of something, especially to view it as if from a greater distance or from a wider perspective: This computer software allows you to zoom out of the document to see the entire page.
3. To exit rapidly: We got dressed and zoomed out to the party.
See also: out, zoom
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
zoom
1. tv. to gain entry to someplace without paying. Both of them zoomed the circus, and both of them got arrested.
2. and zoom off in. to have a drug rush. (Drugs.) Sam zoomed off and thought he had gone to heaven.
3. and zoom off in. to depart; to leave in a hurry. Time’s up. I’ve gotta zoom.
zoom off
verbSee zoom
See also: off, zoom
zoom in (on someone/something)
in. to focus or concentrate narrowly on someone or something. Let’s zoom in on the question of salary.
See also: on, someone, something, zoom
zoom in
verbSee zoom in on someone/something
See also: zoom
zoom out
in. to lose control. I nearly zoomed out when I got the news.
See also: out, zoom
zoom someone out
tv. to impress someone. Freddie is trying to zoom out Tiffany again.
See also: out, someone, zoom
zoom up
in. to drive or pull up to a place. A car zoomed up, and seven kids got out.
See also: up, zoom
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
- zoom across
- streak across
- cut across
- cut across (something)
- crawl across
- crawl across (something)
- get (something) across to (one)
- dart across
- run across
- inch (oneself) across (something)