cotton onto
B2 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words
To slowly work out what something means or what is happening.
Literal meaning: Same origin as 'cotton on' — soft fibres sticking or attaching metaphorically to an idea.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To slowly realise or understand a specific thing, person's motives, or situation.
"It wasn't long before the manager cottoned onto their scheme to leave early every Friday."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
This merged spelling ('onto') is common in informal writing. Functionally identical to 'cotton on to'. Chiefly British and Australian.
Commonly used with
trick idea plan truth secret scheme
Forms
Base
cotton onto
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cottons onto
he/she/it
Past simple
cottoned onto
yesterday
Past participle
cottoned onto
have + pp
-ing form
cottoning onto
continuous
Understand "cotton onto" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "cotton onto" on Looplines