What does it mean to “key into” something?
Here is an excerpt from the book called I’m Right and You’re an Idiot (by James Hoggan):
Those previous frames kept climate change at a distance for many: “It’s happening, but not in my state, or my city, or to people I love.” It’s time to bring the message home and key into the faith dimension, national security issues and business sector, by outlining both risks and opportunities.
In this context, what is the meaning of the expression “key into”?
Solution 1:
To key into something is to focus on it.
From The Free Dictionary:
To pay close attention; focus: improved service by keying on customer complaints; keyed into the main points of the lecture.
In this case, the author is saying that by focusing on the faith dimension, national security issues and business sector, they'll be able to drive their message home to people more effectively.
Solution 2:
Key into means to grasp or understand, informally, to get it.
https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/key_into
The phrasal verb has a variety of connotations that resonate because of other uses of key both as a noun and a verb.
Solution 3:
Like a key fits a lock, by adjusting the arguments to make them fit audiences experience, opinions, or circumstances, one can engage with them fully to achieve the desired result