caught on

USAGE SUMMARY

"caught on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used when something is understood or accepted by a large number of people. For example: After the launch of the new product, it quickly caught on and became very popular among consumers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

People caught on".

The New Yorker

I think it caught on".

The New York Times

They caught on like smartphones.

The Economist

I caught on pretty quickly.

The New York Times

Q. Has this idea caught on?

The New York Times - Travel

I caught on".

The New York Times - Books

hasn't caught on yet.

The Guardian

Motorolas competition caught on quickly.

Forbes

But Rogovin caught on fast.

Los Angeles Times

It caught on.

The New York Times

The concept caught on.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "caught on" to describe the adoption or understanding of an idea, trend, or technology. It's appropriate when something gains popularity or becomes widely accepted.

Common error

Avoid using "catch on" when referring to past events where something has already become popular. Use "caught on" to maintain the correct tense.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "caught on" primarily functions as a predicate, indicating that a concept, trend, or product has gained popularity or has been understood by a significant number of people. Ludwig provides several examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "caught on" is a versatile and commonly used phrasal verb that indicates something has gained popularity, acceptance, or understanding. It's grammatically correct and appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in news and media. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and provides numerous examples. To avoid errors, remember to use "caught on" when referring to past events and consider alternatives like "became popular" or "gained traction" for stylistic variation. The high source quality and expert rating underscore its reliability and widespread use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

took off

Suggests a rapid and successful beginning or increase in popularity.

became popular

Focuses on the increase in popularity or adoption of something.

became a hit

Implies immediate and widespread success.

gained traction

Emphasizes the momentum and growing acceptance of an idea or trend.

gained acceptance

Focuses on the approval and validation of an idea or practice.

became understood

Highlights the aspect of comprehension and acceptance of a concept.

became established

Indicates that something has become recognized and accepted.

gained currency

Suggests that an idea or phrase has become widely used and accepted.

became fashionable

Specifically refers to trends and styles that gain acceptance.

became trendy

Similar to "became fashionable" but can also apply to non-fashion contexts.

FAQs

What does "caught on" mean?

"Caught on" means something has become popular, understood, or widely accepted.

How can I use "caught on" in a sentence?

You might say, "The new fashion trend quickly "caught on" among teenagers".

What are some alternatives to "caught on"?

Alternatives include "became popular", "gained traction", or "became fashionable", depending on the context.

Is "catch on" the same as "caught on"?

"Catch on" is the present tense form, while "caught on" is the past tense. Use "caught on" when describing something that already happened.