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latch

Definition

  • noun: a device that holds a door, gate, or window closed and that consists of a bar that falls into a holder when it is closed and that is lifted when it is open
  • verb: to lay hold with or as if with the hands or arms
  • verb: to close or fasten (something, such as a door) with a latch
  • used with 'on' or 'onto'
  • synonyms: smear, anoint, lace

Examples

  • Soon after she got to the party, some strange man 'latched on to' her [=started talking to her] and wouldn't go away.

  • Many companies have 'latched onto' [='adopted'] the trend of using consultants.

  • The news media has 'latched on to' the scandal.

Movie clips

Movie quotes

  • (..) make our women fight to doff their dire distresses. Be it their comfort we are coming thither. I have words that would be howled in the desert air where hearing should not latch them. My ever gentle cousin. Stands Scotland where it did? Alas, poor country, it's almost afraid to know itself. (..)
    2015 Macbeth