an effort to reach or pass a norm, especially after a period of delay.
After the slowdown there was a catch-up in production.
an effort to catch up with or surpass a competitor, as in a sports contest.
an instance of catching up.
(tr) to seize and take up (something) quickly
to reach or pass (someone or something), after following
he soon caught him up
(intr; usually foll by on or with) to make up for lost ground or deal with a backlog (in some specified task or activity)
(tr; often passive) to absorb or involve
she was caught up in her reading
(tr) to raise by or as if by fastening
the hem of her dress was caught up with ribbons
Suddenly snatch or lift up, as in The wind caught up the kite and sent it high above the trees . [First half of 1300s]
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]
Become involved with, enthralled by, as in We all were caught up in the magical mood of that evening . [Mid-1600s]
Also, . 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]
1835–45, noun, adj. use of verb phrase catch up
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Asian confederation has much work to do to try to catch up with Africa and show its teams can be competitive in this expanded format.
From BBC • Jun. 29, 2026
The AP makes such declarations by determining whether there is an opportunity for a trailing candidate to catch up to the race leader.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 2026
But eventually, wages will have to catch up.
From Barron's • Jun. 26, 2026
However, if you claim at 62 and invest the payments, assuming a consistent 7% annual return, it becomes extremely difficult to catch up.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 26, 2026
He no longer felt like a cub who must wait for the poor, slow taillesses to catch up.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
