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

• ascertain
• discover
• find out
• get on (to)
• hear
• learn
• realize
• see
• wise (up)

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

Read Next World ‘Clouded’ creature — one of the rarest in Thailand — caught on camera. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025

Helical structures have been caught on camera in the solar corona before, but they have never been observed in such detail or for so long. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 1 Apr. 2025

The video was caught on the truck's Sentry mode, a camera system with which all Teslas are equipped. —Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2025

The song caught on with American listeners on streaming and even had a run on U.S. pop radio, on its way to becoming the longest-running K-pop song on the Hot 100, at 33 weeks. —Justin Curto, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025

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