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.

3. 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.

catch up

verb

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

2. to reach or pass (someone or something), after following

   he soon caught him up

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

4. (tr; often passive) to absorb or involve

   she was caught up in her reading

5. (tr) to raise by or as if by fastening

   the hem of her dress was caught up with ribbons

Word History and Origins

Origin of catch up¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. play catch-up, to make a special effort to overcome a late start, a liability, or the advantage a competitor has.

   After Russia launched the first space satellite, other countries had to play catch-up.

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]

Example Sentences

According to official Barb ratings figures, after seven days of catch-up viewing the finale of the much loved comedy had been seen by 19.11 million people, which beat the last Gavin and Stacey special in 2019 which at the same stage had an audience of 17.92m, rising to 18.49m after a month.

From BBC

Your morning catch-up: why canceling the Olympics is unlikely, the fate of the Menedez brothers and more big stories.

From Los Angeles Times

It also suggested that there should be a temporary catch-up programme for slightly older children who will just miss out.

From BBC

It will be added to the list of standard childhood vaccinations from January 2026, and there will be a catch-up programme for older children.

From BBC

A summary of each case will be published in advance to help the public understand the issues involved, and where appropriate, an "on demand" catch-up service will be available for those who can't watch the case in real time.

From BBC

Related Words

• get back 
• reclaim 
• recoup 
• regain 
• repair 
• rescue 
• restore 
• resume 
• retrieve 
• salvage