Learning English Conversations
Jun 30, 2026 · 2 min · 8 segments
Onto something suggests progress or a good idea. Maybe not a complete answer, but you're moving in the right direction. Learn how to use 'onto something' with Becca and Feifei. As always, find a free…
You look very excited.
What's going on?
Well, I think I finally figured out how to improve my video edits.
I might be onto something.
Oh, that's interesting.
But what do you mean by onto something?
If you're onto something, it means you think you've discovered an important idea or clue about it.
Maybe you noticed something that other people haven't noticed yet.
I see.
So for example, if detectives find a new clue, they might say, "We are onto something." And it's usually a positive expression?
Yes, it suggests progress or a good idea.
Maybe not a complete answer yet, but you're moving in the right direction.
Okay, let's hear some more examples of this expression, onto something.
[upbeat music]
Ah, so you think it's the foxes that are eating the rubbish? I think you're onto something.
I hadn't thought of doing it like that, but you know what? I think you're onto something.
She's tried putting rhubarb in the tart.
Everyone else thinks it's a weird idea, but I think she's onto something.
[upbeat music]
Becca, what else do we need to know about onto something?
Don't confuse onto something with into something because they mean very different things.
Oh, really?
Yes.
If you're into something, it usually means that you enjoy it or are interested in it.
Good to know.
You look very excited.
What's going on?
Well, I think I finally figured out how to improve my video edits.
I might be onto something.
Oh, that's interesting.
But what do you mean by onto something?
If you're onto something, it means you think you've discovered an important idea or clue about it.
Maybe you noticed something that other people haven't noticed yet.
I see.
So for example, if detectives find a new clue, they might say, "We are onto something." And it's usually a positive expression?
Yes, it suggests progress or a good idea.
Maybe not a complete answer yet, but you're moving in the right direction.
Okay, let's hear some more examples of this expression, onto something.
[upbeat music]
Ah, so you think it's the foxes that are eating the rubbish? I think you're onto something.
I hadn't thought of doing it like that, but you know what? I think you're onto something.
She's tried putting rhubarb in the tart.
Everyone else thinks it's a weird idea, but I think she's onto something.
[upbeat music]
Becca, what else do we need to know about onto something?
Don't confuse onto something with into something because they mean very different things.
Oh, really?
Yes.
If you're into something, it usually means that you enjoy it or are interested in it.
Good to know.
The rest of this transcript — segmented and speaker-labeled, so you land on the exact moment something was said
Search every transcript — by keyword, by phrase, or by meaning, across every show Radar indexes
Trends — what is surging across podcasts, measured against its own baseline
Alerts — when a name you follow appears in a newly indexed episode
No account is needed to search Radar.
