ENGLISH
REFERENCE

fasten onto

phr. v..
C1 Advanced Oxford

phr. v.. to become very interested in an idea or person, often because you think they will be useful to you.

phr. v.. to attach oneself to an idea, person, or theory with great interest or persistence; often implies a sudden or opportunistic focus.


SIMPLE

The media will fasten onto any small mistake he makes.

CONTEXTUAL

She fastened onto the idea of moving to Italy after seeing just one travel documentary.

COMPLEX

The opposition party was quick to fasten onto the latest economic figures as evidence of the government's failure.

Particles
onto
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
fasten + onto + object
Usage

usually followed by an object representing an idea, a person, or a specific detail.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'latch onto', which is more common in casual speech; 'fasten onto' sounds slightly more deliberate or formal.

Pitfall

He fastened at the idea.He fastened onto the idea.the phrasal verb requires the particle 'onto' to show the direction of the focus.

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