latch on Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. verb take hold of or attach to
   
   • The biochip latches onto the genes
2. verb adopt
   fasten on; hook on; take up; seize on.
   
   • take up new ideas
3. verb understand, usually after some initial difficulty
   get it; catch on; tumble; get wise; get onto; twig; cotton on.
   
   • She didn't know what her classmates were plotting but finally caught on

WordNet