catch up, phrasal verb

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Definition of “catch up”: the exact definition of the phrasal verb “catch up” and how it is used in a sentence

The phrasal verb “catch up” means to do something that you have not done or to reach the same level as someone or something else that is ahead of you. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as catching up on work or studying, catching up with a friend or relative, or catching up on a task or project.

For example:

  • “I need to catch up on my work before the end of the day.” (do work that you have not done)
  • “We need to catch up over coffee.” (spend time with a friend or relative to hear about their experiences and share your own)
  • “Can you give me a brief rundown of what I missed so I can catch up?” (reach the same level of understanding or knowledge as others)
  • “I’m trying to catch up on my reading.” (do something that you have not done)
  • “The company is struggling to catch up with its competitors.” (reach the same level as someone or something that is ahead of you)
Forms and tenses of Catch Up

Forms and tenses: describe the different forms and tenses of “catch up” and give examples of how to use each one

The phrasal verb “catch up” can be used in a variety of forms and tenses. Here are some examples of how it can be used in different forms and tenses:

  • Present simple:
    • “I’m trying to catch up on my work.” (ongoing action in the present)
  • Present continuous:
    • “I’m catching up on my work.” (ongoing action in the present)
  • Present perfect:
    • “I’ve been trying to catch up on my work.” (ongoing action that started in the past and continues into the present)
    • “I’ve caught up on my work.” (completed action in the past that has an effect on the present)
  • Past simple:
    • “I tried to catch up on my work.” (completed action in the past)
  • Past continuous:
    • “I was trying to catch up on my work when the phone rang.” (ongoing action in the past that was interrupted)
  • Past perfect:
    • “I had been trying to catch up on my work before the meeting.” (ongoing action that started in the past and was completed before a specific point in the past)
  • Future simple:
    • “I will try to catch up on my work this weekend.” (future action)
  • Future continuous:
    • “I will be trying to catch up on my work this weekend.” (ongoing action in the future)
  • Future perfect:
    • “I will have caught up on my work by the end of the day.” (completed action in the future that will be finished before a specific point in the future)
Meaning and usage of Catch Up

Meaning and usage: the different meanings and uses of “catch up” and examples of how to use it in different contexts

The phrasal verb “catch up” can have a few different meanings and uses, depending on the context in which it is used. Here are some examples of how “catch up” can be used in different contexts:

  1. To do something that you have not done or to reach the same level as someone or something else that is ahead of you:
    • “I need to catch up on my work before the end of the day.” (do work that you have not done)
    • “Can you give me a brief rundown of what I missed so I can catch up?” (reach the same level of understanding or knowledge as others)
    • “The company is struggling to catch up with its competitors.” (reach the same level as someone or something that is ahead of you)
  2. To spend time with a friend or relative to hear about their experiences and share your own:
    • “We need to catch up over coffee.” (spend time with a friend or relative)
    • “I’ve been out of touch for a while, so we need to catch up on each other’s lives.” (hear about a friend or relative’s experiences and share your own)
  3. To do something quickly or in a hurry:
    • “I’m trying to catch up on my chores before my guests arrive.” (do something quickly)
    • “We need to catch up on the project before the deadline.” (do something in a hurry)
  4. To do something for a longer period of time than usual or than you would like:
    • “I’ve been trying to catch up on my sleep, but it’s been difficult with all the noise in the house.” (do something for a longer period of time than usual)
    • “She’s been working overtime to catch up on her deadlines.” (do something for a longer period of time than you would like)

Common expressions with Catch Up

Common expressions with “catch up”: some common expressions that use “catch up” and their meanings and uses

Here are some common expressions that use the phrasal verb “catch up”:

  1. “Catch up on”
    • This expression is often used to mean doing something that you have not done, or reaching the same level as someone or something else that is ahead of you. For example: “I need to catch up on my work before the end of the day.” (do work that you have not done) “She’s been out of town for a week, so we need to catch up on all the gossip.” (hear about something that you have not heard about)
  2. “Catch up with”
    • This expression is often used to mean spending time with a friend or relative to hear about their experiences and share your own. For example: “We need to catch up with each other over coffee.” (spend time with a friend or relative) “I’ve been meaning to catch up with my old friend for months now.” (spend time with a friend or relative you have not seen for a while)
  3. “Catch up on some sleep”
    • This expression is often used to mean getting more sleep than you usually do, either because you have not been getting enough sleep or because you have been staying up late. For example: “I’ve been trying to catch up on some sleep, but it’s been difficult with all the noise in the house.” (get more sleep than usual) “I’m going to bed early tonight so I can catch up on some sleep.” (get more sleep than usual)
  4. “Catch up with the times”
    • This expression is often used to mean becoming aware of and familiar with current trends, technologies, or ways of doing things. For example: “I need to catch up with the times and get a smartphone.” (become aware of and familiar with current technology) “He’s been out of the loop for a while, so he’s trying to catch up with the times.” (become aware of and familiar with current trends or ways of doing things)

The list of synonyms for “Catch Up”

These words can be used interchangeably with “catch up” to convey the idea of reaching the same level as others, achieving a similar position, or making progress to match someone else’s accomplishments.

Here is a list of synonyms for “catch up”:

  1. Overtake
  2. Reach
  3. Surpass
  4. Attain
  5. Achieve
  6. Exceed
  7. Outstrip
  8. Outdo
  9. Beat
  10. Outpace
  11. Make up for
  12. Follow up
  13. Come abreast
  14. Keep up
  15. Equal
  16. Meet
  17. Be on a par with
  18. Keep pace
  19. Get up to
  20. Draw level

The list of antonyms for “Catch Up”

These words represent concepts opposite to “catch up” and imply actions or situations where one is not able to keep up with others, progress at the same rate, or achieve similar results.

Here is a list of antonyms for “catch up”:

  1. Fall behind
  2. Lag
  3. Trail
  4. Retard
  5. Lose ground
  6. Miss out
  7. Be left behind
  8. Stay back
  9. Tarry
  10. Linger
  11. Dally
  12. Dilly-dally
  13. Delay
  14. Procrastinate
  15. Stall
  16. Postpone
  17. Hesitate
  18. Loiter
  19. Dawdle
  20. Stagnate

Example sentences with Catch Up

50 Example sentences with Catch Up

  1. I need to catch up on my work before the end of the day.
  2. She’s been out of town for a week, so we need to catch up over coffee.
  3. Can you give me a brief rundown of what I missed so I can catch up?
  4. I’m trying to catch up on my reading, so I’ve been spending a lot of time with my books.
  5. The teacher gave us extra homework to help us catch up on the material we missed.
  6. He’s been sick for a few days, so he’s trying to catch up on sleep.
  7. I’ve been falling behind on my exercise routine, so I need to catch up on my workouts.
  8. She’s been working hard to catch up on her bills.
  9. We need to catch up on our project before the deadline.
  10. I’m trying to catch up on my TV shows, but there are just so many episodes to watch.
  11. I’ve been so busy lately that I need to catch up on my social life.
  12. I’ve been meaning to catch up with my old friend for months now.
  13. The company is struggling to catch up with its competitors.
  14. He’s been out of the loop for a while, so he’s trying to catch up on the latest news.
  15. I’ve been trying to catch up on my sleep, but it’s been difficult with all the noise in the house.
  16. I’ve been slacking on my studies lately, so I need to catch up on my classwork.
  17. She’s been working overtime to catch up on her deadlines.
  18. I’ve been trying to catch up on my meditation, but it’s been hard to find the time.
  19. I’ve been falling behind on my writing, so I need to catch up on my daily word count.
  20. The team is struggling to catch up in the game.
  21. She’s been out of touch for a while, so we need to catch up on each other’s lives.
  22. I’ve been trying to catch up on my housework, but it seems like it just keeps piling up.
  23. The company is trying to catch up on its orders after a busy holiday season.
  24. I’ve been trying to catch up on my emails, but I just can’t seem to get through them all.
  25. She’s been trying to catch up on her sleep, but her baby keeps waking her up at night.
  26. I’ve been falling behind on my paperwork, so I need to catch up on my filing.
  27. The team is trying to catch up on its training after a week of cancellations.
  28. I’ve been trying to catch up on my chores, but they just seem to multiply every day.
  29. The company is working hard to catch up on its production after a delay in the supply chain.
  30. I’ve been trying to catch up on my reading, but I keep getting distracted.
  31. She’s been trying to catch up on her studies, but she’s finding it hard to focus.
  32. I’ve been falling behind on my deadlines, so I need to catch up on my work.
  33. The team is trying to catch up on its preparation for the big game.
  34. I’ve been trying to catch up on my sleep, but I keep having trouble falling asleep.
  35. The company is working to catch up on its shipments after a problem with the packaging.
  36. I’ve been trying to catch up on my hobbies, but I just haven’t had the time.
  37. She’s been trying to catch up on her projects, but she keeps getting interrupted.
  38. I’ve been falling behind on my exercise routine, so I need to catch up on my workouts.
  39. The team is struggling to catch up in the race.
  40. I’ve been trying to catch up on my cooking, but it seems like I’m always too busy.
  41. The company is working hard to catch up on its orders after a rush of demand.
  42. I’ve been trying to catch up on my social media, but I just can’t seem to keep up.
  43. She’s been trying to catch up on her sleep, but her schedule has been so hectic.
  44. I’ve been falling behind on my garden work, so I need to catch up on my weeding and watering.
  45. The team is trying to catch up on its training after a few players were injured.
  46. I’ve been trying to catch up on my phone calls, but it seems like I never have enough time.
  47. The company is working to catch up on its production after a machinery malfunction.
  48. I’ve been trying to catch up on my blog writing, but it’s been difficult to find inspiration.
  49. She’s been trying to catch up on her coursework, but she’s finding it hard to keep up with the pace.
  50. I’ve been falling behind on my household chores, so I need to catch up on my cleaning and tidying.

The questions are related to the phrasal verb ‘Catch Up’

  1. Can we __________ on the project next week?
    • Answer: catch up
  2. I’m going to __________ with my friend later.
    • Answer: catch up
  3. I’m sorry I’m late, I got held up at work. Can you __________ me on what I missed in the meeting?
    • Answer: catch up
  4. I need to __________ on my reading for class.
    • Answer: catch up
  5. I’m trying to __________ with my emails.
    • Answer: catch up
  6. I’m behind on my workouts, I need to __________.
    • Answer: catch up
  7. I haven’t seen my sister in a while, I need to __________ with her.
    • Answer: catch up
  8. I’m going to __________ on my chores this weekend.
    • Answer: catch up
  9. I’m trying to __________ with my colleagues on the new project.
    • Answer: catch up
  10. I’m trying to __________ on my studies after being sick.
    • Answer: catch up
  11. I’m running late, can we __________ on the schedule?
    • Answer: catch up
  12. I’m trying to __________ with my friends after being busy with work.
    • Answer: catch up
  13. I’m trying to __________ on my sleep after staying up late.
    • Answer: catch up
  14. I need to __________ on my budget after overspending.
    • Answer: catch up
  15. I’m trying to __________ on my bills after falling behind.
    • Answer: catch up
  16. I’m trying to __________ on my work after taking a few days off.
    • Answer: catch up
  17. I’m trying to __________ on my exercise routine after being sick.
    • Answer: catch up
  18. I’m trying to __________ on my reading list after getting behind.
    • Answer: catch up
  19. I’m trying to __________ on my laundry after letting it pile up.
    • Answer: catch up
  20. I’m trying to __________ on my house cleaning after being busy with work.
    • Answer: catch up
  21. I’m trying to __________ on my home repairs after neglecting them.
    • Answer: catch up
  22. I’m trying to __________ on my yard work after letting it go for a while.
    • Answer: catch up
  23. I’m trying to __________ on my grocery shopping after running out of essentials.
    • Answer: catch up
  24. I’m trying to __________ on my mail after letting it pile up.
    • Answer: catch up
  25. I’m trying to __________ on my phone calls after being too busy to return them.
    • Answer: catch up
  26. I’m trying to __________ on my text messages after not checking my phone for a while.
    • Answer: catch up
  27. I’m trying to __________ on my emails after ignoring them for a few days.
    • Answer: catch up
  28. I’m trying to __________ on my social media after not checking it for a while.
    • Answer: catch up
  29. I’m trying to __________ on my blog posts after falling behind on writing.
    • Answer: catch up
  30. I’m trying to __________ on my podcast episodes after not releasing any for a while.
    • Answer: catch up