catch on quickly

USAGE SUMMARY

"catch on quickly" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to mean to understand or become aware of something quickly. For example: "When I explained the rules of the game, they caught on quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

First, employees catch on quickly.

Harvard Business Review

No one who helped draft the resolution expected it to catch on quickly.

The New Yorker

He did catch on quickly.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Herold replied that such symbols tend to catch on quickly.

The New York Times

Will the players catch on quickly enough to the West Coast offense and the 4-3 defense?

The New York Times - Sports

New fans, who can catch on quickly — there are scary monsters, and the Doctor defeats them — can make their own judgments.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Some managers caught on quickly; others took much longer.

Harvard Business Review

Rory's nimble fingers caught on quickly, but she lost interest after about half a dozen pockets.

The New York Times

The product caught on quickly, and the business succeeded.

Huffington Post

The AFL began play in 1960, and its wide-open style caught on quickly, although not everywhere.

Los Angeles Times

More specifically, Secret Hitler is a social deduction game, one that has caught on quickly since it began to ship to players last summer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's ability to learn or understand something new, "catch on quickly" is a concise and effective way to convey their aptitude. Use it to highlight their adaptability and intelligence.

Common error

Avoid overthinking the phrase's individual words. "Catch on quickly" is an idiom; don't try to replace "catch" or "quickly" with synonyms that alter the phrase's established meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch on quickly" functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing how someone understands or learns something. It often modifies a subject, indicating their aptitude or speed in grasping new information or skills. Ludwig AI confirms that it is considered correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "catch on quickly" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe someone's ability to understand or learn something rapidly. Ludwig AI validates its usability. It is frequently found in News & Media, Wiki, and Formal & Business contexts and is considered to have a neutral register, making it appropriate for various writing styles. Related phrases include "grasp rapidly" and "pick up fast", offering alternative ways to express the same idea. When using the phrase, remember to focus on conveying someone's aptitude in understanding new information or skills efficiently.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pick up fast

An informal way of saying someone learns quickly through observation or experience.

grasp rapidly

Emphasizes the speed of understanding but is slightly more formal.

understand swiftly

Focuses on the speed of comprehension.

absorb information rapidly

Emphasizes how quickly information is assimilated.

learn readily

Highlights the ease of learning rather than just understanding.

get the hang of it quickly

Specifically refers to learning how to do something.

become aware promptly

Focuses on the speed of becoming conscious or informed about something.

realize immediately

Emphasizes the suddenness of understanding or awareness.

fathom quickly

Highlights understanding something complex or difficult rapidly.

get it in a flash

An informal way to express sudden understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "catch on quickly" in a sentence?

"Catch on quickly" means to understand something rapidly. For example, "New employees "catch on quickly" when provided with clear instructions".

What's a more formal alternative to "catch on quickly"?

A more formal alternative could be "grasp rapidly" or "understand swiftly", which maintain a similar meaning but are better suited for formal contexts.

Is it correct to say "caught on quickly" instead of "catch on quickly"?

Yes, "caught on quickly" is the past tense form of the phrase. For example, "She "caught on quickly" to the new software".

What is the difference between "catch on quickly" and "learn easily"?

"Catch on quickly" implies a rapid understanding, while "learn easily" suggests a general aptitude for learning new things without difficulty. They're similar, but "catch on quickly" focuses on the speed of initial understanding.