fathom verb

/ˈfæð.əm/ v [T]

Definition

•

to discover the meaning of something

For years people have been trying to fathom (out) the mysteries of the whale's song.

•

to understand someone or why someone acts as they do

I can't fathom her at all.

(Definition of fathom verb from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

If a problem preys on your mind, you think about it and worry about it a lot

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