1. Understand or realize, usually after some time or initial difficulty
   "She didn't know what her classmates were plotting but finally latched on";
   - catch on [informal], get wise [informal], get onto, tumble [informal], cotton on [informal], twig [Brit, informal], get it [informal], cop on [Brit, informal]
    
2. Quickly grasp or make use of an idea, opportunity, etc.
   "The media quickly latched on to the scandal";
   - take up, fasten on, seize on
    
3. Take hold of or attach to
   "The child latched on to his mother's hand"

Derived forms: latches on, latched on, latching on

Type of: adopt, apprehend, compass, comprehend, dig [informal], embrace, espouse, get the picture [informal], grasp, grok [N. Amer, informal], hold on, savvy