Meaning trap
catch up
reach the same level
To reach the same standard, level, or progress as someone or something after falling behind.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To reach the same standard, level, or progress as someone or something after falling behind.
Another meaning of 'catch up' is 'talk about recent news'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- 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
Fix the pattern
Pattern: catch up (with/to someone/something)
WrongI need to catch up the others.
RightI need to catch up with the others.
'Catch up WITH' someone to reach their level (or 'catch up ON' missed work).
Patterncatch up (with/to someone/something)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Catch up with' is the natural way to say reach the same level; 'reach parity with the cohort' is academic jargon.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
catch up + with/onwith the classon missed workwith the otherson 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.