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catch on — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb2 meanings
catch on
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Meaning 2

understand

  • catch on to sth

To begin to understand something, especially after not understanding at first.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

It took me a while to catch on, but now I understand how the system works.

A: Did you get the joke?
B: Oh, now I catch on! That was funny.

Common mistake

Not: She didn't catch on the joke.

Say: She didn't catch on to the joke. / She didn't catch on.

'Catch on TO something', or 'catch on' alone — don't drop 'to' before the thing.

More on “understand”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

At first, I found the instructions confusing, but I caught on after watching a few videos.

Tell it apart

He soon caught on to what we meant.

  • understood it

He soon caught up with the others.

  • reached their level

Goes with

  • catch on (to)
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