catch up — reach the same level
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
To reach the same standard, level, or progress as someone or something after falling behind.
Say it like a native
Textbook I must reach parity with the rest of the cohort.
Native I need to catch up with the rest of the class.
'Catch up with' is the natural way to say reach the same level; 'reach parity with the cohort' is academic jargon.
Pattern: catch up (with/to someone/something)
In use
- After missing a week of classes, I had to study hard to catch up with the rest of the group.study
- During the semester, I struggled at first, but I managed to catch up with my classmates by studying every evening.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ I need to catch up the others.
✓ I need to catch up with the others.
'Catch up WITH' someone to reach their level (or 'catch up ON' missed work).
Common collocations
catch up + with/on— with the class, on missed work, with the others, on sleep
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'keep up,' which means to stay at the same level, not reach it after being behind.
Related
- catch up (talk about recent news) — Another meaning of 'catch up' is 'talk about recent news'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.