Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To reach the same level or standard as someone or something that is ahead, often after a period of being behind. This involves making up for a deficit in progress, knowledge, or work.
   • To meet someone, especially a friend, in order to talk and learn the latest news about each other's lives.

Usage

• This verb is commonly used to describe overcoming a delay in tasks, studies, or information.
• It is also used socially to describe the act of meeting someone after a period apart.
• It can be followed by a direct object (a person or a thing).

Examples

• Verb:
  • I need to catch up with my emails after my vacation. (I need to reach the point of having read/replied to all my emails, as I fell behind while away.)
  • She studied hard to catch up with the rest of the class. (She worked to reach the same level of understanding as her classmates.)
  • Let's have coffee next week and catch up with each other. (Let's meet and share our recent news.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be/get caught up with something": To be/become very busy or occupied with a task or series of tasks.
  • I'm completely caught up with this report, so I can't go out tonight.
• The phrase can imply overtaking, not just reaching.
  • The faster runner finally caught up with the leader in the final lap.

Variants and Related Words

• Catch up (phrasal verb, intransitive): Often used without "with" when the object is implied.
  • You go ahead, I'll catch up later.
• Catch-up (noun, informal): An act of catching up.
  • We had a quick catch-up over the phone.

Synonyms

• Overtake: To catch up with and pass (emphasizes moving ahead).
• Make up for: To compensate for something lost or missed.
• Get up to speed: To reach the current level of knowledge or activity.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Catch up on: Specifically used for tasks, work, or news that has accumulated.
  • I need to catch up on the news / my sleep / some reading.

Related Idioms

• Play catch-up: To be in a position where one must try hard to reach the same level as others.
  • After the merger, the smaller company had to play catch-up with new technology.

Verb

1. make up work that was missed due to absence at a later point
   • I have to make up a French exam
   • Can I catch up with the material or is it too late?
2. catch up with and possibly overtake
   • The Rolls Royce caught us near the exit ramp