latch onto

1. Attach oneself to, join in with, as in Rob didn't know the way so he latched on to one of the older children . [c. 1930]

2. Get hold of, grasp; also, understand, grasp mentally. For example, They latched onto a fortune in the fur trade , or Carol quickly latched on to how the sewing machine works . [c. 1930]

Idioms and Phrases

Also, latch on to .

Example Sentences

On its face, this is an odd issue to latch onto, given that it directly affects just a teeny-tiny number of Americans and, in the grand scheme of things, is pretty low-stakes.

From Slate

The Dodgers love to latch onto pitchers such as this, with great upside potential upon recovery.

From Los Angeles Times

I latch onto her perfect French braids and pull down hard until my knuckles go white.

From Los Angeles Times

If an idea is good politics — maybe even good policy — latch onto it.

From Los Angeles Times

Which leaves only the Pitt-Clooney magic, middle-aged vintage, to latch onto.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accept
• acquire
• admit
• bear
• carry
• enjoy
• gain
• get
• hold
• include
• keep
• obtain
• own
• pick up
• possess
• receive
• retain
• take