catch up
English meaning: Catch up
Definition
To reach the same point or level as others, or to exchange recent news with someone.
Example
“Let's meet for coffee and catch up.”
Another example: “Let's grab a coffee and catch up sometime soon.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A phrasal verb with two main senses: to reach the same level as others after being behind ('catch up with the leaders'), or to exchange recent news with someone ('let's catch up'). Informal to neutral register.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From 'catch' plus 'up', the idea of closing a gap to reach someone ahead.
Synonyms
- keep up
- get up to date
- close the gap
Antonyms / Opposites
- fall behind
- lag
Related Words
Common Collocations
- catch up with
- catch up on
- catch up on sleep
- let's catch up
- catch up later
Word Forms
catch up; caught up; catches up; catching up
Word Tools
Tools & Calculators
Maturity = 146,932.81 · Interest earned = 46,932.81
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B