Cotton on Meaning in English
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.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and mainly used in British and Australian English. Often used in the sense of suddenly understanding or realizing after some delay. Common in phrases like 'cotton on to (something)'. Rarely used in American English.
Spanish: darse cuenta - captarPortuguese (BR): perceber - se dar contaPortuguese (PT): perceber - aperceber-seChinese (Simplified): 意识到 - 明白Chinese (Traditional): 意識到 - 明白Hindi: समझ जाना - ध्यान देनाArabic: يدرك - ينتبهBengali: বুঝতে শুরু করা - টের পাওয়াRussian: вдуплить - понять (со временем)Japanese: 気づく - 理解し始めるVietnamese: nhận ra - hiểu raKorean: 눈치채다 - 알아차리다Turkish: farkına varmak - anlayıvermekUrdu: سمجھنا شروع کرنا - بات پکڑناIndonesian: menyadari - mulai paham
Example Sentences
It took him a while to cotton on to the joke.
basic
I didn't cotton on to what she meant at first.
basic
You'll cotton on to the rules soon.
basic
It took me a minute to cotton on that they were joking.
natural
Once you cotton on to how things work here, it gets easier.
natural
Not everyone will cotton on to the plan right away.
natural