catch up
Short definition: The phrase catch up means to reach the same level as someone else after falling behind, or to talk with someone to share recent news and updates.
Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the phrasal verb catch up? This is a very common expression in English and it appears in both casual and professional conversations. It can describe reaching the same level as someone else, talking after a long time apart, or completing unfinished work. Because it often relates to time, progress, and connection, the exact meaning depends on context. Below are detailed meanings with realistic examples so you can clearly understand how catch up works in everyday English.
Forms: catch up, catches up, caught up, catching up
Related: reach v., connect v., update v., recover v.
Syllable: catch-up
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(Verb) To reach the same level, position, or speed as someone or something.
To catch up most commonly means to reach the same level, position, or speed as someone else after falling behind.
He ran faster to catch up with his friends.The company is working hard to catch up with its competitors.She studied all weekend to catch up on missed lessons.Synonyms: reach, draw level, keep pace, match progress, close the gap, gain ground, make up ground, equalize, overtake later, recover position, get back on track, align progress
Antonyms: fall behind, lag, lose ground, trail, drop back, slip behind, regress, slow down, decline, miss out, be overtaken, stay behind -
(Verb) To talk with someone after not seeing or speaking for a while.
Catch up can also mean reconnecting with someone to share news and updates after being apart for some time.
Let’s grab coffee and catch up soon.We haven’t spoken in months—we really need to catch up.They spent hours catching up on each other’s lives.Synonyms: reconnect, touch base, talk again, meet up, exchange updates, chat, reunite, share news, check in socially, get together, renew contact, update each other
Antonyms: lose contact, drift apart, ignore each other, stop communicating, avoid, cut ties, remain distant, disconnect, fall out of touch, withdraw socially, stay silent, separate -
(Verb) To complete something that was delayed or unfinished.
In another sense, catch up refers to finishing tasks or responsibilities that were previously delayed.
I need to catch up on my emails.She stayed late at work to catch up on paperwork.He spent Sunday catching up on household chores.Synonyms: finish overdue work, make up for delay, complete backlog, clear tasks, handle pending work, settle unfinished business, fulfill obligations, close tasks, wrap up, process backlog, recover delay, attend to missed items
Antonyms: procrastinate, delay further, postpone, neglect duties, ignore backlog, abandon tasks, fall further behind, stall, defer work, skip responsibilities, leave undone, accumulate delays