catch up phrasal verb ( see also ↑ catch )
1 . to improve and reach the same standard as other people in your class, group etc:
If you miss a lot of classes, it’s very difficult to catch up.
catch up with
At the moment our technology is more advanced, but other countries are catching up with us.
2 . to come from behind and reach someone in front of you by going faster
catch up with
Drive faster – they’re catching up with us.
catch somebody up British English :
You go on ahead. I’ll catch you up in a minute.
3 . to do what needs to be done because you have not been able to do it until now
catch up on
I have some work to catch up on.
I need to catch up on some sleep (=after a period without enough sleep) .
4 . to spend time finding out what has been happening while you have been away or during the time you have not seen someone
catch up on
When I got home I phoned Jo to catch up on all the gossip.
I’ll leave you two alone – I’m sure you’ve got a lot of catching up to do.
5 . be/get caught up in something to be or get involved in something, especially something bad:
I didn’t want to get caught up in endless petty arguments.