Meaning trap
catch up
talk about recent news
To talk to someone you haven't seen for a while and share recent news or updates about your lives.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To talk to someone you haven't seen for a while and share recent news or updates about your lives.
Another meaning of 'catch up' is 'reach the same level'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- Let's grab coffee this weekend and catch up—it's been ages since we talked.family
- When I visit my hometown, I always catch up with old friends to hear about what's new in their lives.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: catch up (with someone)
WrongLet's catch up the news.
RightLet's catch up. / Let's catch up on the news.
'Catch up' (with a person) or 'catch up ON' news/work — not 'catch up the news'.
Patterncatch up (with someone)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Catch up' is exactly how friends suggest meeting to share news; the formal paraphrase is bizarre between friends.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
catch up + socialwith friendsover coffeesoonon the news
Don't confuse it
Different from 'meet up,' which means to get together but not necessarily to talk about recent events.
Related
- catch up (reach the same level) — Another meaning of 'catch up' is 'reach the same level'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.