English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Catch up
Meaning
The idiom "catch up" generally means to become current or up-to-date with something, such as events, news, or information that has previously been missed or neglected. It can also mean to close a gap or difference between oneself and someone else in terms of progress or achievement. The figurative meaning of the idiom is often used metaphorically to describe a situation where someone or something is being left behind or surpassed by others.
Usage
- I need to catch up on the latest news to stay informed about current events.
- She's falling behind in her studies and needs to catch up with her classmates.
- We're running late and need to catch up with the rest of the group.
- He's been playing video games all day and needs to catch up on his work duties.
- After missing several meetings, he realized that he needed to catch up with his team members to stay in the loop. The usage of the idiom can vary depending on the context. For example, it can be used in a professional setting to describe falling behind in work responsibilities or in a personal setting to describe falling behind in social activities or relationships. The idiom can also be used in a derogatory way to describe someone who is unable to keep up with others or is perceived as being slow or incompetent.
Roots and History
The origin of the idiom "catch up" can be traced back to the Middle English phrase "cacen upen", which meant "to catch up or overtake". Over time, this phrase evolved into its current form and began to take on its figurative meaning. The idiom has been used in literature and language for centuries and is now a common expression in contemporary English.
Synonyms in English
- Stay informed
- Catch up with someone
- Get up to speed
- Stay current
- Be in the loop
Synonyms in other languages
- French - se tenir à jour (to stay informed)
- Spanish - estar actualizado (to be up-to-date)
- German - aufgeführt sein (to be informed)
- Italian - essere al corrente (to be informed)
- Portuguese - ficar de volta ao último (to catch up)