catch on

1. (idiomatic, informal)Chiefly in the form catch oneself on: to cause (oneself) to get or regain a proper appreciation of a situation; to behave in the expected, sensible way; to stop fooling around or being silly.

2. (idiomatic, intransitive)Chiefly followed by to: to cling or hold on to something; to get stuck on something; to take hold.

3. Chiefly followed by to: to cling or hold on to something; to get stuck on something; to take hold.

   (New England, dated, idiomatic, intransitive)Of food being cooked: to become stuck to the cooking vessel and brown or burn slightly.

4. (idiomatic, intransitive)Of an idea, a thing, etc.: to become fashionable or popular; also, to become established as standard; to become commonplace.

   It’s a crummy idea, and I certainly hope it doesn’t catch on.

   At first, many people didn’t like that kind of music, but after a while it caught on.

   become popular

5. (idiomatic, intransitive)Followed by to: to recognize the potential of something; also, to take advantage of or use something (especially an idea, a trend, etc.).

6. (idiomatic, informal, intransitive)Chiefly followed by to: to (begin to) understand; to realize.

   He didn’t have to explain; I caught on right away.

   She’s been catching on pretty well.

1. Tom's a beginner, but he catches on fast.

   Том початківець, але він швидко вчиться.

   ruТом - новичок, но он схватывает на лету.

   deTom ist ein Anfänger, aber er begreift schnell.

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2. Tom is just beginning to catch on.

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3. Tom was caught drinking on school grounds.

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4. Tom was caught sleeping on the job.

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5. Tom got caught drinking on the job.

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irregular · Lesson

• catch upнадолужити, надолужуватиTo pick up suddenly.
• catch outдізнатися, дізнаватисяTo discover or expose as fake, insincere, or inaccurate.
• catch onChiefly in the form catch oneself on: to cause (oneself) to get or regain a proper appreciation of a situation; to behave in the expected, sensible way; to stop fooling around or being silly.