catch on
verb
caught on; catching on; catches on
1
: to become aware : learn
2
: to become popular
this idea has already caught on
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
Travelers are catching on to the unlimited potential of 24-hour daylight and tour providers are adapting fast.
—
Phil Thomas, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2025
Anton had counterfeited a new identity, and nobody had caught on.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Port of Seattle Police confirmed via video cameras that Stevenson, who was in shackles, was caught on video escaping by boarding a light rail train and disappearing for more than a month until he was captured by U.S. Marshals.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2025
The lanky suspect, who was caught on camera toting a backpack and carrying a paper shopping bag in the crook of his arm, attacked his first victim, a 25-year-old woman, at about 2:05 a.m. on May 17 at the border of SoHo and Greenwich Village, cops said.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for catch on
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Phil Thomas, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2025
Anton had counterfeited a new identity, and nobody had caught on.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Port of Seattle Police confirmed via video cameras that Stevenson, who was in shackles, was caught on video escaping by boarding a light rail train and disappearing for more than a month until he was captured by U.S. Marshals.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2025
The lanky suspect, who was caught on camera toting a backpack and carrying a paper shopping bag in the crook of his arm, attacked his first victim, a 25-year-old woman, at about 2:05 a.m. on May 17 at the border of SoHo and Greenwich Village, cops said.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for catch on
Cite this Entry
“Catch on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catch%20on. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share