English Phrase of the Day

Definitions

English > English
catch up
1. v. To pick up suddenly.
2. v. To entangle.
The speaker wires have got caught up with the wires from the lights.
3. v. (intransitive) To be brought up to date with news.
I hadn't seen her for so long. It was great to catch up.
4. v. To bring (someone) up to date with the news.
After Alice's vacation, her boss caught her up on policy changes.
5. v. To reach something that had been ahead.
Rose was three seconds behind, but managed to catch up with the race leader and eventually won.
I'll go ahead and you can catch me up later.
6. v. (intransitive) To compensate for or make up a deficiency.
7. v. (intransitive) To finally reach something inevitable.
8. n. An act of catching up or attempting to catch up.
9. n. An amount, a thing, or a receipt or repetition of information that enables one to catch up.
Analysis
catch		©
1. n. The act of seizing or capturing.
The catch of the perpetrator was the product of a year of police work.
2. n. The act of catching an object in motion, especially a ball.
The player made an impressive catch.
Nice catch!
up		©
1. adv. Away from the surface of the Earth or other planet; in opposite direction to the downward pull of gravity.
I looked up and saw the airplane overhead.
2. adv. (intensifier) Used as an aspect marker to indicate a completed action or state Thoroughly, completely.
I will mix up the puzzle pieces.
Tear up the contract.

Example Sentences

The only way you could prove it to me is to leave your little haven now and catch up with the troops.  He just slows down a little and opens the front door, so I've got to catch up.  When the azaleas bloom and the spring rush comes, we'll catch up.  The bear races around, hiding behind trees, and yowling at each close call, until the bees finally catch up, and the bear is stung upon the paw.

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