Last week, while editing a client’s document, I came across the following phrase: “as I homed my skills”. That’s actually incorrect, and here’s why:
Home
To home something means to aim it toward a target. For example, the missiles homed in on the airstrip. So to home your skills would be to aim them toward a target. I suppose if a goal was your target, the phrase could sort of make sense. However, I think you might be looking for “hone”.
Hone
To hone something means to sharpen it, such as honing a knife or axe. So, to hone your skills would be to sharpen them or perhaps perfect them. Sharpening one’s skills seems to make more sense than aiming your skills toward a target.
There you have it: the difference between home and hone.
