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)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
First Known Use
1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1
catch on
verb
as in to work out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- work out
- come off
- go over
- pan out
- succeed
- click
- deliver
- go
- thrive
- flourish
- cook
- prosper
- percolate
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- strike out
- wash out
- miss
- fail
- founder
- collapse
- fold
- struggle
- flunk
- languish
- flop
- bomb
- slip
- decline
- flounder
- fall down
- sink
- wane
- slump
- skid
- crumble
- choke
- crash
- crack up
- miscarry
- flame out
- crater
- misfire
- go under
- implode
- self-destruct