How to Pronounce "cotton on"
expression
ˈkɑtən/, /ˈkɔtən/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn
KAH-tuhn ON or KAW-tuhn AWN
kˈɒtən/ /ˈɒn
KOT-uhn ON
Definition
To begin to understand or realize something, often after not noticing it at first.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈkɑtən/, /ˈkɔtən/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn
British English
kˈɒtən/ /ˈɒn
Simplified Pronunciation
US
KAH-tuhn ON or KAW-tuhn AWN
UK
KOT-uhn ON
Listen in Context
It took him a while to cotton on to the joke.
I didn't cotton on to what she meant at first.
You'll cotton on to the rules soon.
It took me a minute to cotton on that they were joking.