Function: transitive verb
Date: 14th century
1 a : to pick up often abruptly <the thief caught the purse up and ran> b : ENSNARE , ENTANGLE <education has been caught up in a stultifying mythology ― N. M. Pusey> c : ENTHRALL <the ⋯ public was caught up in the car's magic ― D. A. Jedlicka>
2 : to provide with the latest information < catch me up on the news>
intransitive verb
1 a : to travel fast enough to overtake an advance party b : to reach a state of parity or of being able to cope <students who miss class have difficulty catching up >
2 : to bring about arrest for illicit activities <the police caught up with the thieves>
3 a : to complete or compensate for something belatedly < catch up on lost sleep> b : to acquire belated information < catch up on the news>