[pessimizer]

"Hone" is from honing a blade, which is what you do to keep its edge. To "home in" on something is the process of locating where something is positioned (its "home.") That something could be "the answer" or a submarine. A homing signal is a signal you broadcast to assist others with homing in on your location.

"Honing" is more metaphorically akin to polishing. To hone a skill means to practice at it.