catch up: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighInformal to neutral
Quick answer
What does “catch up” mean?
to reach the same standard, level, or point as someone or something else, especially after being behind.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to reach the same standard, level, or point as someone or something else, especially after being behind.
To do tasks or work that one has not had time to do earlier; to learn about recent news or events; to meet someone after a period apart.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. Minor differences in typical collocations (e.g., 'catch up on emails' is universal, but 'catch you up' as a transitive verb might be slightly more common in US informal speech).
Connotations
Neutral. Can carry a slight connotation of effort or urgency when used for work, but a positive, social connotation when used for meeting people ('Let's catch up soon').
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “catch up” in a Sentence
[intransitive] catch up (with/to sb/sth)[transitive] catch sb up (BrE common, AmE possible)[separable] catch up on sthVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “catch up” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I'll run to catch up with the group.
- Can you catch me up on what I missed?
- I need to catch up on my marking this weekend.
American English
- Go ahead, I'll catch up in a minute.
- Let me catch you up on the latest gossip.
- I'm just catching up on some paperwork.
adjective
British English
- We're having a catch-up meeting next Tuesday.
- It was just a quick catch-up call.
American English
- Let's schedule a catch-up sometime next week.
- We had a nice catch-up over lunch.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used for discussing project delays, meeting deadlines, or updating colleagues ('We need to catch up on the Q2 reports').
Academic
Used regarding students who have missed work or literature reviews ('She spent the holiday catching up on her reading').
Everyday
Most common use: social meetings and discussing news ('We met for coffee to catch up').
Technical
Less common; can be used in IT/data contexts ('The replica server is catching up with the primary').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “catch up”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “catch up”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “catch up”
- Using 'catch up' transitively without 'on' ('I need to catch up my emails' - INCORRECT). Confusing with 'be caught up in' (meaning 'be involved in', often negatively).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a verb, yes. As a noun (e.g., 'have a catch-up') or adjective ('catch-up meeting'), it is often hyphenated.
'Catch up WITH' a person or group. 'Catch up ON' tasks, news, or work (things that have accumulated).
Typically not. It implies positive progress. The negative state is 'falling behind'. The related phrase 'caught up in' can be negative (e.g., 'caught up in scandal').
It is neutral but slightly informal. In very formal writing, alternatives like 'reach the same level', 'compensate for the delay', or 'become conversant with' might be preferred.
to reach the same standard, level, or point as someone or something else, especially after being behind.
Catch up: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkætʃ ˈʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkætʃ ˈʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “play catch-up”
- “a catch-up meeting”
- “be/get caught up in something (different meaning)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a runner (you) literally catching and grabbing the shirt of the runner in front, thus pulling yourself up to their level.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROGRESS IS FORWARD MOTION / BEING INFORMED IS BEING CURRENT. Falling behind is a spatial lag; catching up is eliminating that spatial gap.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'catch up' INCORRECTLY?