be onto something

verb

To have gained an insight that could lead to future success.

“This product could be a game changer. I think you are onto something.”

Opposite
be onto nothing
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Meanings

verbbe onto something (third-person singular simple present is onto something, present participle being onto something, simple past was onto something, past participle been onto something)

present singular third person is onto something · participle present being onto something · past was onto something · participle past been onto something

  1. To have gained an insight that could lead to future success.

    This product could be a game changer. I think you are onto something.

    Antonyms: be onto nothing

Synonyms & antonyms

verbTo have gained an insight that could lead to future success.

Opposite
be onto nothing

Translations

Danish være inde på, have fat i noget
  • være inde påto have gained an insight that could lead to future success
  • have fat i nogetto have gained an insight that could lead to future success
  • have/få færden afto have gained an insight that could lead to future success
German auf einer heißen Spur sein
  • auf einer heißen Spur seinto have gained an insight that could lead to future success
Polish być na tropie
  • być na tropieto have gained an insight that could lead to future success
Spanish calar, sospechar
  • calarto have gained an insight that could lead to future success
  • sospecharto have gained an insight that could lead to future success
Cite this entry
APA

be onto something. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/be%20onto%20something

MLA

“be onto something.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/be%20onto%20something. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “be onto something,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/be%20onto%20something.

Source: be onto something on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.