catchup

[ kach-uhp, kech- ]

/ ˈkætʃ əp, ˈkɛtʃ- /

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noun

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Words nearby catchup

catch someone's eye, catch some rays, catch some z's, catch stitch, catch the drift, catchup, catchwater drain, catchweed, catchweight, catchword, catchy

Other definitions for catchup (2 of 2)

catch-up

[ kach-uhp ]

/ ˈkætʃˌʌp /

noun

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.

adjective

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

Origin of catch-up

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use catchup in a sentence

Having ceded a head start to TikTok, YouTube now seems determined to play catchup.
YouTube wants to take on TikTok and put its Shorts videos on your TV|Chris Stokel-Walker|November 7, 2022|MIT Technology Review
Call it a social commerce arms race as social media platforms like Instagram, Snap and Pinterest look to garner a bigger share of ad dollars, playing catchup as more people shop online.
Why Snap is leveraging augmented reality technology to get a leg up in the social commerce arms race|Kimeko McCoy|October 4, 2021|Digiday
Rather than trying to play catchup, help build that ecosystem.
The exit effect: 4 ways IPOs and acquisitions drive positive change across the global ecosystem|Annie Siebert|May 29, 2021|TechCrunch
China’s control on news reaches into every corner of the internet, and regulations are always playing catchup with the pace at which new media, such as microblogs and live streaming, flourishes.
New rule reins in China’s flourishing self-publishing space|Rita Liao|February 1, 2021|TechCrunch

A conversation with Mary Higgins Clark seems like a catchup with an absent aunt, or a proverbial long lost friend.
Mary Higgins Clark Interview About New Book, I'll Walk Alone|Sandra McElwaine|April 29, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Experimenting along another line, I found that I could make catchup, as delicious as that of tomatoes, of gooseberries.
Letters of a Woman Homesteader|Elinore Pruitt Stewart
Strain the gravy when it has boiled long enough, and flavour it with catchup.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches|Eliza Leslie
Season it with cayenne, salt, and mushroom catchup, and add bits of butter.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches|Eliza Leslie
If making a rich soup that requires wine or catchup, let it be added the last thing, just before the soup is taken from the fire.
Miss Leslie's New Cookery Book|Eliza Leslie
Two or three large spoonfuls of mushroom, or tomato catchup, are improvements to all hashes.
Miss Leslie's New Cookery Book|Eliza Leslie

British Dictionary definitions for catchup (1 of 2)

catchup

/ (ˈkætʃəp, ˈkɛtʃ-) /

noun

a variant spelling (esp US) of ketchup

British Dictionary definitions for catchup (2 of 2)

catch up

verb (adverb)

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

(when intr, often foll by with) to reach or pass (someone or something), after followinghe 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 involveshe was caught up in her reading

(tr) to raise by or as if by fasteningthe 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

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, 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]

catchup

Words nearby catchup

Other definitions for catchup (2 of 2)

Origin of catch-up

Words related to catchup

How to use catchup in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for catchup (1 of 2)

British Dictionary definitions for catchup (2 of 2)

Other Idioms and Phrases with catchup