Meaning trap
catch on
become popular
To become popular or fashionable; to start being liked or used by many people.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To become popular or fashionable; to start being liked or used by many people.
Another meaning of 'catch on' is 'understand'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- Electric scooters really caught on in the city last year.daily life
- In my opinion, online shopping caught on quickly because it saves people a lot of time.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: catch on (with/to/among [group])
WrongThe idea didn't catch up.
RightThe idea didn't catch on.
'Catch on' = become popular; 'catch up' = reach the same level — different meaning.
Patterncatch on (with/to/among [group])
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Catch on' is the everyday verb for something becoming popular; the paraphrase is flat.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
catch on (with)withquicklynever reallyfast
Don't confuse it
'Catch on' (become popular) is different from 'catch up' (reach the same level) and 'catch on' (understand).
Related
- catch on (understand) — Another meaning of 'catch on' is 'understand'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.