latch onto
Cling to tightly
To latch onto something is to grab hold and not let go—physically or figuratively.
A child latches onto a parent's leg.
Someone latches onto an idea and won't abandon it.
The phrase often implies persistence or attachment that may be unwelcome: He latched onto me at the party and wouldn't stop talking.
To latch onto can also mean to understand or catch on: She quickly latched onto the concept.
- seizeTake suddenly, forcibly
- get a gripRegain emotional control
- fixateFocus obsessively on
- zero in onFocus precisely upon
- graspSeize or understand
snatch · obsess · grab · clutch · hold tight · cotton on · catch on to · figure out · fasten · click · clasp · attach · infatuate · embrace · adopt · glom · cling · internalize
- closenessclose by, close contact, close-knit, next door, up close
- seizinggrab, seize, grasp, clutch, snatch
- understandingunderstand, comprehend, grasp, fathom, follow
- holding firmhold, hold fast, hold firm, hold on, hold tight
- hugshug, hugging, embrace, bear hug, group hug
latch ontolet go of
keep away from · avoid · shun · keep at arm's length · steer clear of
latch, onto, unlatched, latched, latches, unlatch, latching, unlatching, latchkey