v. , informal 1. To get hold of; grasp or grab; catch. He looked for something to latch onto and keep from falling. The football player latched onto a pass. 2. slang To get into your possession. The banker latched onto a thousand shares of stock. 3. slang To understand. The teacher explained the idea of jet engines until the students latched onto it.
Synonym: CATCH ON. 4. informal To keep; to hold. The poor woman latched onto the little money she had left. 5. slang To stay with; not leave. Marie and Dick wanted to go to the movies by themselves, but Mane's little brother latched onto them.