1. to begin to understand or realize something
Usage: informal; often used with ‘on’ or ‘to’
2. to take a liking to someone or something
Usage: informal; often used with ‘to’

Examples

• She finally cottoned on to what he was trying to say.
• It took me a while to cotton to the new system.
• He cottoned to her immediately at the party.
• The students cottoned on to the teacher’s method quickly.
• I never really cottoned to that style of music.
• Once she cottoned to the joke, she couldn’t stop laughing.