dial it in meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

dial it in

verb

Etymology * (set up well): Often, complex systems have many dials, which need to be tweaked for optimal performance. Thus, dialing it in involves moving the various dials until the system is performing better. Very probably, it began as a military term used in artillery and naval gunnery; e.g. "We have the enemy dialed in."

To set up in a perfect or complete way.

The mechanic dialed in the bicycle before the customer picked it up.
He estimated the corner of the building was forty yards away and dialed it in. The weapon made a funny, hollow bloop sound when it fired but the results were anything but comical. The grenade landed a foot from the edge of the building2006, Clive Cussler, Jack Du Brul, Skeleton Coast, page 317:

4 more examples

you'll need to understand its suspension system and dial it in properly2006, Bill Stermer, Streetbikes: Everything You Need to Know, page 121:
It's a brand-neu; design and, like a new model of anything, it sometimes takes some tweaking to dial it in.2007 November, Running Times, number 351, page 6:
The 3D animator has control over how strong it is and can “dial it in” to get any desired amount of turbulence.2007, Steve Wright, Compositing Visual Effects: Essentials for the Aspiring Artist, page 55:
Start with the bindings, then the fin, and as a last measure, take out the file or sandpaper to dial it in.2010, Ben Favret, Water Skiing and Wakeboarding, page 64:

To give a lackluster, uninspired, or timid performance (especially when capable of doing better); to phone it in.

The actor simply dialed in his performance, leaving even his devoted fans disappointed with the show as a whole.
"I'm not sure what the kind of person who listens to him is, but I would guess it's someone who doesn't listen to mainstream, boring, dial-it-in rock."2006 October 14, Billboard, volume 118, number 41, page 58:

2 more examples

Stills added: “I never dial it in. You walk out there in front of people and ask them to pay money to see you, you'd better bring it.2008, Dave Zimmer, Crosby, Stills & Nash: The Biography, page 363:
The fans know when you dial it in and when you're giving it that extra effort.2009 September 5, Billboard, volume 121, number 35: