clock onto
B2 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words
To suddenly understand or notice something that you did not see before.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To realise or become aware of something, especially something that was not immediately obvious.
"The teacher soon clocked onto the fact that the students were copying each other's work."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
informal
To notice a person's suspicious or noteworthy behaviour.
"The security guard clocked onto the shoplifter the moment he walked in."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Distinctly British informal English. Common in everyday speech. Suggests a moment of realisation, sometimes implying that the speaker was slow to notice. Occasionally written without 'to' as 'clock on.'
Commonly used with
trick plan scheme truth secret idea
Forms
Base
clock onto
I/you/we/they
3rd person
clocks onto
he/she/it
Past simple
clocked onto
yesterday
Past participle
clocked onto
have + pp
-ing form
clocking onto
continuous
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