Definition

1. Verb (transitive & intransitive):
   • To adjust the focus of something, such as a lens, eye, or beam, to make an image or point sharper or clearer.
   • To change the direction of one's attention, efforts, or priorities to a new or different subject, goal, or activity.

Usage

• As a transitive verb, it takes a direct object (e.g., ).
• As an intransitive verb, it is used without a direct object, often followed by a preposition like "on" (e.g., ).
• It implies a conscious shift or readjustment, either optical or metaphorical.

Examples

• Transitive (adjusting optical/technical focus):
  • The photographer had to refocus her lens after the subject moved.
  • Please refocus the microscope to see the cells more clearly.
• Transitive (redirecting attention/efforts):
  • The company decided to refocus its marketing strategy on younger consumers.
  • After the setback, the team refocused its energy on finding a solution.
• Intransitive (shifting attention/priorities):
  • It's time to refocus and finish this project.
  • The discussion drifted, so the chairperson asked everyone to refocus on the main agenda.

Advanced Usage

• "Refocus on": This is the most common phrasal construction, used to specify the new area of attention.
  • After his vacation, he found it difficult to refocus on work.
• "Refocus attention/efforts/energy": A frequent collocation where the object of redirection is specified.
  • The scandal forced the politician to refocus his efforts on rebuilding public trust.

Variants and Related Words

• Refocusing (noun/gerund): The act or process of refocusing.
  • The constant refocusing of the camera was distracting.
  • This period of refocusing is necessary for our growth.
• Refocused (adjective/past participle): Describes something that has been subjected to refocusing.
  • With a refocused strategy, the startup began to see success.

Synonyms

• Readjust: To adjust again or differently.
• Redirect: To change the direction or focus of something.
• Reconcentrate: To concentrate one's attention or efforts again or on a new thing.
• Sharpen: (In the optical sense) To make an image clearer.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions

• Refocus on: To direct attention or resources back to or toward a specific thing.
  • We must refocus on the original objectives.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Get/Go back on track: While not a direct synonym, this idiom conveys a similar idea of returning attention to the main goal after a distraction, which is often the result of refocusing.
  • The meeting was chaotic, but the manager got it back on track. (This involved refocusing the discussion.)

Verb

1. put again into focus or focus more sharply
   • refocus the image until it is very sharp
2. focus anew
   • The group needs to refocus its goals
3. focus once again; The physicist refocused the light beam"