zoom



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: 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: 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

zoom in (on something)

to view something more closely The software lets you zoom in so you can check the details of any part of the picture.
Etymology: based on the literal meaning of zoom in (to move quickly toward something)
See also: zoom

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

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: 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

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

verb
See 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, zoom

zoom in

verb
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, 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

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Astles['æslz]
OsipO-seepRussian
RickieRIK-eeEnglish
JusticeJUS-tisEnglish
SalliSAHL-leeFinnish
Marguerite[.ma:gə'ri:t]