CATCH UP

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does catch up mean? 

• CATCH UP (verb)
  The verb CATCH UP has 2 senses:

1. reach the point where one should be after a delay

2. learn belatedly; find out about something after it happened

  Familiarity information: CATCH UP used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CATCH UP (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Reach the point where one should be after a delay

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Context example:

I caught up on my homework

Hypernyms (to "catch up" is one way to...):

arrive at; attain; gain; hit; make; reach (reach a destination, either real or abstract)

"Catch up" entails doing...:

follow (to travel behind, go after, come after)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "catch up"):

come back (even the score, in sports)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Sense 2

Meaning:

Learn belatedly; find out about something after it happened

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Context example:

I'm trying to catch up with the latest developments in molecular biology

Hypernyms (to "catch up" is one way to...):

acquire; larn; learn (gain knowledge or skills)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

 Context examples 

A year and a half of it might enable you to catch up that additional six months.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

It’s a perfect month to allow yourself some slack, to catch up on paperwork, and to strategize for the coming year.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Thus, the dog behind could never catch up with the one in front.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

“Perhaps, if I were to step boldly ashore, they would cut for it, and I could not catch up with one.”

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Take your silver butterfly, and catch up that long curl on the left side of her head, Clara, and don't any of you disturb the charming work of my hands, said Belle, as she hurried away, looking well pleased with her success.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

You will catch up with your friends in late February, for they will take on a larger role in your life.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)