Be on to Meaning in English
expression
ˈbi/, /bi/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ
BEE ON-too, BEE AWN-too, BEE ON-tuh, BEE ON-tih
bˈiː/ /ˈɒn/ /tˈuː
bee ON-too
Definition
To realize or discover the truth about something, often when someone is trying to hide it; or, to have discovered something important or useful.
Usage & Nuances
Informal, used when someone realizes a secret, a trick, or an important idea. Common with 'someone is on to you' (you've been caught). Also used positively, like 'be on to something' (an important discovery). Do not confuse with 'be onto' (physically on top of).
Spanish: descubrir - estar al tanto de - darse cuenta dePortuguese (BR): estar por dentro de - perceber - sacarPortuguese (PT): estar a par de - descobrir - perceberChinese (Simplified): 发现...的真相 - 意识到Chinese (Traditional): 發現…的真相 - 意識到Hindi: पता चल जाना - समझ जानाArabic: اكتشف أمر - أصبح على علم بـBengali: ঘটনাটা বুঝে ফেলা - কৌশল ধরে ফেলাRussian: раскусить - понять замыселJapanese: 見抜く - 気づくVietnamese: nhận ra - phát hiện raKorean: 눈치채다 - 간파하다Turkish: farkına varmak - anlamakUrdu: بھانپ لینا - حقیقت جان لیناIndonesian: menyadari - mengetahui
Example Sentences
I think the teacher is on to us about cheating.
basic
She realized her parents were on to her lies.
basic
The police are on to him now.
basic
You can't fool me anymore—I'm on to you!
natural
Wait, I think we're really on to something with this idea!
natural
He's acting weird—do you think he's on to our plan?
natural