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

Harris and Klebold, early to catch on to the self-mythologizing possibilities of new technology, obsessively documented themselves and their fascination with violence, both online and off. — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026

Why invisible warmth is catching on The cultural setup for this trend was already in place. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

Bell, who had a long touchdown called back two games ago against Minnesota, is without a catch on five targets over the past two games. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

The tourist, a Belgian national, was attempting to BASE jump from the 27th floor of Auckland's Hotel Indigo when his parachute became caught on the building's exterior. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 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