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catch up

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catch up

(on someone or something) to learn the news of someone or something. I need a little time to catch up on the news. We all need to catch up on what Tony has been doing. I need some time to catch up.

See also: catch, up

catch up

(on something) to bring one's efforts with something up-to-date; to do the work that one should have done. I need a quiet time so I can catch up on my work. He started school late and now has to catch up.

See also: catch, up

catch up

(to someone or something) and catch up (with someone or something) to move faster in order to reach someone or something who is moving in the same direction. The red car caught up with the blue one. Bill caught up with Ann, and they walked to the bank together.

See also: catch, up

catch up

(with someone or something) Go to catch up (to someone or something).

See also: catch, up

catch up

1. Suddenly snatch or lift up, as in The wind caught up the kite and sent it high above the trees. [First half of 1300s]

2. Also, catch up with. Come from behind, overtake. This usage can be either literal, as in You run so fast it's hard to catch up with you, or figurative, as in The auditors finally caught up with the embezzler. [Mid-1800s]

3. Become involved with, enthralled by, as in We all were caught up in the magical mood of that evening. [Mid-1600s]

4. Also, catch up on or with . Bring or get up to date, as in Let's get together soon and catch up on all the news, or Tonight I have to catch up with my correspondence. [First half of 1900s]

See also: catch, up

catch up

v.

1. To move fast enough to attain the same progress as someone or something: The runner caught up to the leader on the last lap of the race.

2. To become equal or on a par with someone or something: I finally caught up with my brother in height.

3. To bring some activity to completion or to a state of currentness: On the weekends, I catch up on reading the daily newspapers because I don't have time during the week.

4. To bring someone up to date; brief someone: Let me catch you up on all the gossip. I read the Sunday newspaper to catch up on the news.

5. To seize or lift something suddenly: The wind caught up the umbrella and carried it off. I wasn't holding onto the balloon very tightly, and the wind caught it up and sent it sailing away.

6. To involve someone in something, often unwillingly. Used chiefly in the passive: The senator was caught up in the scandal.

7. To captivate or enthrall someone. Used chiefly in the passive: Perhaps I shouldn't have proposed to you, but I was caught up in the mood of the evening.

See also: catch, up

catch up

in. to break the drug habit; to withdraw from drugs. (Drugs.) I just know I can catch up, if I can just get through the first week.

See also: catch, up