catch on

verb

caught on; catching on; catches on

intransitive verb

1

: to become aware : learn

also : understand

didn't catch on to what was going on

2

: to become popular

this idea has already caught on

Synonyms of catch on

• realize
• discover
• see
• get on (to)
• hear
• learn

Examples of catch on in a Sentence

she caught on to the fact that they were planning a surprise party

he finally caught on to the concept of phototaxis

Recent Examples on the Web

Schulz Logistics was caught on the wrong side of that whiplash. — Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

Not his worst Walking into the dugout after that first inning, Buehler was caught on the Mets telecast yelling toward at least one person. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026

Food has always been at the heart of traditions for Puglia locals and American travelers have recently started to catch on. — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Arriving deputies located both vehicles involved in the crash, one of which had caught on fire. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for catch on

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• chiffon

Kids Definition

catch on

verb

1

: to realize something

they had been teasing me, and I never caught on

2

: to become popular

will the new style catch on