Other definitions for catch-up (2 of 2)

catch-up
[ kach-uhp ]

noun
  1. an effort to reach or pass a norm, especially after a period of delay: After the slowdown there was a catch-up in production.

  2. an effort to catch up with or surpass a competitor, as in a sports contest.

  1. an instance of catching up.

adjective
  1. intended to keep up with or surpass a norm or competitor: a catch-up pay raise to offset inflation.

Origin of catch-up

2
1835–45, Americanism; noun, adj. use of verb phrase catch up

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use catchup in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for catchup (1 of 2)

catchup

/ (ˈkætʃəp, ˈkɛtʃ-) /


noun
  1. a variant spelling (esp US) of ketchup

British Dictionary definitions for catch up (2 of 2)

catch up

verb(adverb)
  1. (tr) to seize and take up (something) quickly

  2. (when intr, often foll by with) to reach or pass (someone or something), after following: he soon caught him up

  1. (intr; usually foll by on or with) to make up for lost ground or deal with a backlog (in some specified task or activity)

  2. (tr; often passive) to absorb or involve: she was caught up in her reading

  3. (tr) to raise by or as if by fastening: the hem of her dress was caught up with ribbons

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with catchup

catchup

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

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.