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

Merrill went 0 for 5 on his bobblehead night, striking out on three pitches with the bases loaded in both the eighth and 11th, and also failed to make a diving catch on Flores' RBI double. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026

The incident was caught on a surveillance camera, showing the gunman in the 149 Grill and Deli on East 149th Street and Walton Avenue. — Aziza Shuler, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

Suspended Trooper Christopher Regan, caught on camera appearing to pummel a fellow Statie at a Quincy bar, has waived this week’s show-cause hearing and will be arraigned next month on a single assault and battery charge. — Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 24 Aug. 2026

The show also comes after a federal immigration agent was caught on body camera footage using racist language during a Los Angeles immigration operation last year. — Isa Farfan, Los Angeles Times, 24 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