catch up
- 01 B1 Intermediate
phr.v.to reach the same place as someone who started before you or is moving faster.
phr.v.to reach the same position or level as someone or something that was previously ahead. Often used with the preposition 'with'.
Simple“I started running late, but I managed to catch up with my friends at the park.”
In context“The lead cyclist had a significant advantage, but the peloton worked together to catch up with him before the final sprint.”
UsageOften used as 'catch up with someone' or 'catch up to someone'.
Antonyms - 02 B1 Intermediate
phr.v.to talk to someone you have not seen for a while to find out what has happened in their life.
phr.v.to exchange information or news with someone after a period of separation.
Simple“Let's have a coffee next week so we can catch up properly.”
In context“After five years apart, they spent the entire evening catching up on each other's careers and family lives.”
UsageUsually takes the preposition 'with'.
Synonyms - 03 B1 Intermediate
phr.v.to do something that you should have done earlier.
phr.v.to perform tasks or activities that have been delayed or neglected. Usually takes the preposition 'on'.
Simple“I need to stay late at the office to catch up on some paperwork.”
In context“Having been away for a fortnight, the manager spent his first day back catching up on a mountain of urgent correspondence.”
UsageCommonly followed by 'on' plus a noun phrase like 'work', 'sleep', or 'emails'.
Synonymsmake up for - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
phr.v.to be involved in a situation, often one that is unpleasant or unexpected.
phr.v.to become involved or entangled in a situation, typically involuntarily. Frequently used in the passive voice.
Simple“He didn't mean to break the rules; he just got caught up in the excitement of the crowd.”
In context“Innocent bystanders were caught up in the political unrest that swept through the capital during the election cycle.”
UsageUsually appears in the passive form 'get caught up in'.
Synonymsentangleembroil - 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a meeting or conversation between people who have not seen each other for a while.
n.an occasion for catching up or receiving an update. Often written with a hyphen as 'catch-up'.
Simple“We had a quick catch up over lunch to discuss the new project.”
In context“The weekly catch-up provides a vital opportunity for department heads to align their strategies and address any emerging bottlenecks.”
distinguish between the physical sense of 'reaching someone' and the social sense of 'sharing news'; the social sense is extremely common in everyday conversation.
- Particles
- up
- Separability
- inseparable
- Pattern
- catch + up (+ with/on + object)