catch up in
phr. v..phr. v.. to become involved in a situation, often by accident or without wanting to be.
phr. v.. to become entangled or involved in a situation, typically one that is problematic, complex, or beyond one's control; often used in the passive voice.
I didn't want to get caught up in their argument.
Many innocent bystanders were caught up in the protests that broke out downtown yesterday.
The small company found itself caught up in a massive legal battle between two international tech giants.
- Particles
- up in
- Separability
- inseparable
- Pattern
- catch + up + in + object
most frequently used in the passive form 'be/get caught up in' followed by a noun for a situation or event.
distinguish this from 'catch up with' (meeting someone or reaching a level); 'caught up in' implies being trapped or absorbed by a situation like a net.
He was caught up on the drama.He was caught up in the drama.use 'in' for involvement in situations; 'on' is used for updating oneself with information.