Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
to rotate; to turn; to spin; to encircle; to think about; to contemplate
counterbalance
revolve
base
reflect
Free TOEIC test: Free word games online: Adjectives Nouns Verbs Game Answer
Dictionaries   TOEIC   TOEFL   GMAT   SAT   GRE   MCAT   PCAT   ASVAB   Interviews
Tests   Grammar   Articles   Stories   Shop   Services   English for winners   Speaking
Home   Top 100   Start your FREE email English course now!   Audio Lessons   Jobs
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

What does this phrasal verb mean: 'to catch on'? Is it an idiom?



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
The meaning of 'swimming with sharks' | Briefer: Do you normally use the comparative form from brief
Listening exercises
Message
 Author
What does this phrasal verb mean: 'to catch on'? Is it an idiom? #1 (permalink) Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:00 am   What does this phrasal verb mean: 'to catch on'? Is it an idiom?		  
Quote:
Now I catch the term on!

This came up in another topic.

What he meant was "Now I get it !" "Now I understand the term".

To "catch on" cannot be applied to understanding a word.
It means: "understand the situation", or "understand why things are happening in a certain way", or "how serious the situation is".
It is similar to the expression "Cop on" which mean "be sensible" or "be street-wise"
Here in Ireland we might tell someone to: "have some cop-on"

It is normally used without saying exactly what has to be understood. That can be taken as understood. If it has to be explained the person will never "catch on".

One might say to someone "Catch on!" or "Catch on to yourself" meaning "Be aware of the problems here", or "Be responsible!"

Here in Ireland one might say "Catch yourself on" .
Can anybody tell me is it used this way outside of Ireland ?

"Catch on" can also mean "become popular".
Yu-Gi-Oh cards have really caught on among kids here in Dublin(speaking very locally).

Art
Native Hiberno English speaker
DOlier
You can meet me at english-test.net


Joined: 29 Aug 2006
Posts: 99
Location: Ireland
A new face among us #2 (permalink) Tue Sep 12, 2006 12:08 pm   A new face among us		  
This is totally off topic, Art, but I just wanted to say that it’s nice to see your face.

The background of luscious greenery is a good representation of your ‘winter land’ or Emerald Isle!

And thanks for your interesting post, too.
Conchita
Language Coach


Joined: 26 Dec 2005
Posts: 2826
Location: Madrid, Spain
Sign up for FREE and explore English! Click to subscribe to email English courseLearn to use the present simple with the help of this short storyAre you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!English grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skills
Catch on #3 (permalink) Tue Sep 12, 2006 18:04 pm   Catch on		  
Thanks a million!

Now I get it! Laughing

But why can it be used with concepts and not
with terms?

I saw an example this week.

"He didn?t catch on to new concepts easily"

Or is "catch on to" a phrasal verb?

Thanks a lot!

Jes?s
Jesus1
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 192
Catch on #4 (permalink) Tue Sep 12, 2006 20:13 pm   Catch on		  
Hi Jesus

Quote:
He didn?t catch on to new concepts easily

That should have been "He didn't grasp new concept easily"
DOlier
You can meet me at english-test.net


Joined: 29 Aug 2006
Posts: 99
Location: Ireland
Catch on #5 (permalink) Tue Sep 12, 2006 20:24 pm   Catch on		  
Hi!. How do you feel?

Thanks again!

I looked up the phrasal verb in the dictionary, and
actually means "grasp" but mentally.

In ESL texts you can find that sentence.

"He didn?t catch on to new concepts easily"

Is it wrong then? Embarassed

I understood it, anyway!.

Thanks a lot!



Jes?s
Jesus1
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 192
Catch on #6 (permalink) Tue Sep 12, 2006 22:28 pm   Catch on		  
Quote:
"He didn?t catch on to new concepts easily"

Hi Jesus,
It is correct to say it means "grasp", but the point is: it is a colloquial expression, like slang. The issue or concept which is to be grasped, "be caught on to", is never stated explicitly, it is only implied.
If it has to be explained then the speaker would use a different expression or construction.
Something like "Can you not grasp the fact that you need to look at this differently" or
"Can you not grasp the fact that we have a problem here"
in other words: "Wise up", "Cop on", or "Catch yourself on"

Colloquial: characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary or familiar conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal.
DOlier
You can meet me at english-test.net


Joined: 29 Aug 2006
Posts: 99
Location: Ireland
Display posts from previous:   
The meaning of 'swimming with sharks' | Briefer: Do you normally use the comparative form from brief
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms What does this phrasal verb mean: 'to catch on'? Is it an idiom? All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on ESL EFL Forums

Start FREE email English course now!
Join more than 100,000 learners!
Question after although: Although it is late... • The use of "STICK" without get! • Another: Vietnamese another girl vs. Another vietnamese girl • Say vs. Speak • Revenue vs turnover • The preposition "on" • ...that that was what was... :) • Is "How come?" short for "How does it come?" • Who (Please give me a list of who's been invited) • "newspapers style" is a correct expression? • The meaning of 'Just about' • Divorse is to law what protocolity is to medicine • Such as: Countries(, ) such as Brazil and Canada are large • Seem: It seemed (like) a normal day at school • Security Company • 1, 5 years - One year and a half? • Meaning of MEMORIAL SERVICE • Have a nice new OR (new nice) weekend? • What does this phrasal verb mean: 'to catch on'? Is it an idiom?

Discover English-test.net
Hi! I am Mirka from Slovakia • Meaning of shaggy • What's wrong with this sentence: My baby sister Athirah, the apple of my eyes... • meaning of 'Pick up' • Use of definite article "the" in written form vs. spoken • TOEIC verbal word list: Vocabulary Building Exercises: List of Adjectives • TOEIC prep test: Word quizzes: Free Online Adjectives Game • Define professional, nearby, bound, splendid, unfair • Parts of speech game: List of noun verb adjective • Preposition in and at: Bite, Bit, Bitten • English grammar quiz: Starting a Business • Poetry audio books, CDs, tapes, used cassettes, audio download

 
 You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Provided by phpBB ©2001-2009 phpBB Group
Subscribe to FREE email English course
First name E-mail