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

Three times in recent months, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has absolved military aviators caught on camera busting flight regulations. — Brynn Tannehill, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026

Fannin also only eclipsed 100 receiving yards in one game as a rookie but commanded attention with seven catches on nine targets in the Browns’ Week 1 loss to Cincinnati. — John Riker, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Teoscar Hernandez drove in one when Schuemann tried to make a sliding catch on his line drive near the line. — Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 20 July 2026

Everybody loves ranch dressing Of all the American foods that caught on with foreigners during the World Cup — from gas stations like Buc-ees to diners like Waffle House — perhaps no singular item excited soccer fans as much as ranch dressing. — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 19 July 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