What does "focus on" mean?

Direct attention or effort on something. For example: Focus on the main task.

focus on

phrasal verb·1 sense·particle on

Meanings

Why “on”? Eyes or thought land on a point and stay there.

“Focus on the main task.”

Direct your attention on the main task.

“Focus on the blue line in the chart.”

Direct your attention to the blue line in the chart.

Test yourself

“Focus on the main task.” What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.

bear on

Same on pattern: attention

Be relevant or related to something

check on

Same on pattern: attention

Make sure someone or something is safe or all right

chew on

Same on pattern: attention

Think carefully about something for a while

dwell on

Same on pattern: attention

Spend too much time thinking or talking about something

look on

Same on pattern: attention

Watch something happen without taking part; Regard or consider someone or something in a particular way

sleep on

Same on pattern: attention

Wait until the next day before deciding; Ignore or miss a good chance while it is available

spy on

Same on pattern: attention

Watch someone secretly

touch on

Same on pattern: attention

Mention a topic briefly

Practice “focus on” in Sink In

Drill this and 600+ phrasal verbs with spaced repetition, organised by particle.