Corrected entry: Ben says "we may be honing in on the problem." You hone a knife and you hone an argument. "Homing" means getting closer, either in distance or in understanding. They were HOMING in on the problem.
Leicaman
7th Dec 2023
The Conners (2018)
Correction: Merriam-Webster gives this as an example: The missile was honing in on its target. Researchers are honing in on the cause of the disease. Ben uses it in this manner. It is a colloquialism that we all understand. You can use either phrasing (and in the US it tends to be more common to use "honing in"). It is not a mistake.
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Correction: Either phrase is acceptable. "Honing in" means to move towards an objective or to focus attention on that objective.
Bishop73
It is a common usage, but still incorrect. https://grammarist.com/eggcorns/home-in-hone-in/.
Leicaman
It is an acceptable usage, even if it is not the best or most grammatically correct word to use. After all, the Conners are not the most sophisticated or educated family. Something that is not technically correct can be situationally right.
KeyZOid
And I can't remember the last time (if ever) I heard anyone say "homing" instead of using "honing."
KeyZOid