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

The reminder was also caught on Flightradar24 and occurred on a 24-minute flight just south of the country’s capital of Vienna. — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Before the killing, however, Gonzalez was caught on surveillance footage moving cameras inside the home, the report says. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026

Two people were caught on camera leaving the scene of a Folsom grass fire Saturday evening. — Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Community land trusts have been slower to catch on in San Diego County than in other parts of the state that have more robust land trusts. — Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 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