catch onto

catch onto (something)

1. To snag on a particular surface, item, or material, usually with frustrating or unpleasant results. Be careful so that the zipper doesn't catch onto my dress—it's silk!
2. To latch onto something, usually as is intended. You probably need to get your necklace repaired so that this little piece catches onto the clasp securely.
See also: catch
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

catch onto something

[for something] to snag on or get grabbed by something else. (See also onto something.) This little piece has to catch onto this gear each time it comes around. A few threads of my shirt caught onto the cactus needles and ruined the whole thing.
See also: catch
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • catch onto (something)
  • come to a bad end
  • come to a bad/sticky end
  • be in for
  • be in for something
  • in for
  • snag
  • hit a snag
  • have an accident
  • horse and rabbit stew
References in periodicals archive
Currently the shoes sell for $179 a pair, which is not cheap and puts them at the high end of the market, so it will be interesting to see how and if price points evolve as it matures as a business, and competitors big and small begin to catch onto the idea of selling their own footwear at a wider range of sizes.
Pakistani start-up Atoms secures $8.1m financing
Our quarry seem to catch onto us after while and we alternate jig size to keep them guessing.
St. Johns Jigglin'
It's bright and naturally decorated, but it's not until you spot the recycle bins, reusable mugs, and line of sustainable shampoos that you catch onto the fact that it's an eco-friendly salon.
Long Island's eco-entrepreneurs attracting growing segment of consumers
presented on topic of "Catch onto Health!" Jacqueline Klossing, Egyptian Health Department and Dr.
SIC Early Childhood Expo focuses on children's mental health Expo
Catch onto October 2002 legislative elections, PMLQ, party formed with blessing of General Musharaf, won only 25.7% votes.
Is bootism all that matters in Pakistan?
"We thought it was going to catch onto our thatched roof but thankfully the fire service managed to get it under control."
OAP couple pulled from house blaze; NEWS WIRE
With the girls gathered to get ready for the day ahead, Laura confesses: "You know how Wes likes to talk about the 'Do Bits Society.' The DBS thing." The girls immediately catch onto what she is suggesting, with Georgia asking "did you have sex with him?"
Love Island's Wes and Laura have sex as they take the 'do bits society' up a notch; The couple put the Love in Love Island last night - and now we'll hear all about it
To the visitors' credit, they were quick to catch onto the Sharks seeming indifference and took the game to the home side scoring powerplay goals from Dean Holland and Sam Zajac before Solway reacted to the situation and began to fight their way back into the game.
Mixed fortunes for the Sharks
It took the group a few moments to catch onto the routine.
Gym directors monitor trends to keep programming in shape
The first manufacturer to catch onto this was Taurus, who put a dedicated fingertip niche in the frame of their Millennium series pistol.
Fingers & triggers
Sarfraz fumbled with the catch onto the grille of his helmet before the ball touched the ground.
Brathwaite, Holder give West Indies the edge in Sharjah
The girls successfully got "two-faced" Dave kicked off in episode 4, but now the other guys are starting to catch onto the alliance that has formed.
'Ink Master' Season 8, Episode 5 Recap
Our quarry seem to catch onto us after a while and we alternate jig size to keep them guessing.
Mud men: dropping water levels reveal a light tackle dreamscape on a Central Florida river
Some of Felix's overseas friends were also slow to catch onto the prank, although were relieved to find the moggy would be sticking around.
Felix will be staying ... says April Furst