Catch up meaning in English
Learn how to use Catch up correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
to catch up (with somebody): to learn or discuss the latest news, to chat, to exchange stories (with someone you haven't seen in a long time)
Let's catch up on Saturday and you can tell me what's been happening in your life.
to catch up on (some homework): to do (some homework) that you did not have time to do before
Examples
- "Bruno : It's always good to catch up with you Mick."
- "Listen, do you feel like meeting for dinner tonight so we could catch up face to face?"
- "So it's about time we caught up."
- "Regarding Horatio's surprise party: I've been running around trying to catch up with the department heads and here is what I've found out"
- "Yesterday I had to stay at the office later than usual in order to catch up on some paperwork."
Exercise 1
"Listen, do you feel like meeting for dinner tonight so we could catch up face to face?"
What is the meaning of the expression "to catch up"?
What is the meaning of the expression "to catch up"?
"Listen, do you feel like meeting for dinner tonight so we could catch up face to face?"
What is the meaning of the expression "to catch up"?
What is the meaning of the expression "to catch up"?
"To catch up (with someone) is to bring someone up to date, or to get up to date on another person's news. When used in this context (two friends meeting after a while), the expression indicates that the friends will discuss the latest developments in their lives. One can also 'catch up ON the news", which means to inform oneself of the news, by reading the newspaper for example.
"Catch up" should not be confused with the tomato-based condiment "ketchup", also spelled "catsup".
While "meeting for a drink" can be a part of "catching up" with someone, it is not the definition of the phrase.
"To get to know one another" expresses that two people have never met or do not know one another very well. It is possible to "meet for a drink" in order to "get to know one another" however this does not share a similar meaning with the expression "to catch up", which is used to describe a conversation between people who know each other but haven't seen each for a long time.
Exercise 2
It's about time we caught up.
The expression "to catch up" means "to ".
Which of the following sentences is correct?
One more time!
Which of the following sentences is correct?
The expression "to catch up" means "to ".
Which of the following sentences is correct?
One more time!
Which of the following sentences is correct?
It's about time we caught up.
The expression "to catch up" means "to talk about the past 1".
Which of the following sentences is correct? It's time we spoke. 2
One more time!
Which of the following sentences is correct? It's time for you to make a decision. 3
The expression "to catch up" means "to talk about the past 1".
Which of the following sentences is correct? It's time we spoke. 2
One more time!
Which of the following sentences is correct? It's time for you to make a decision. 3
1 talk about the past: "To catch up (with someone)" is to bring someone up to date, or to get up to date on another person's news. When used in this context (two friends meeting after a while), the expression indicates that the friends will discuss the latest developments in their lives. One can also "catch up ON the news", which means to inform oneself of the news, by reading the newspaper for example.
1 meet for a drink: While "meeting for a drink" can be a part of "catching up" with someone, it is not the definition of the phrase.
1 get to know one another: "To get to know one another" expresses that two people have never met or do not know one another very well. It is possible to "meet for a drink" in order to "get to know someone", however this does not share a similar meaning with the expression "to catch up", which is used to describe a conversation between people who know each other but haven't seen each for a long time.
1 eat tomato sauce together: "Catch up" should not be confused with the tomato-based condiment "ketchup", also spelled "catsup".
2 It's time we spoke.: We always use the subjunctive past tense (spoke) to follow the expression "it's time" which refers to something hypothetical or unreal, which may or may not happen. The subjunctive past tense is identical to the simple past tense form for most verbs. In this sentence, the expression "it's time we spoke" expresses that "now is the time for us to speak" or that we should "speak as soon as possible". Other examples: "it's time we discussed your drinking problem" or "it's time we bought that condo in Miami".
2 It's time we speak.: We cannot use the present tense form of the verb (speak) to follow the expression "it's time", which is a conditional construction and requires the subjunctive past tense form of the verb which follows it.
2 It's time we are speaking.: We cannot use the present continuous tense to follow the expression "it's time", which is a conditional construction and requires the subjunctive past tense form of the verb which follows it.
2 It's time we have spoken.: We cannot use the present perfect tense to follow the expression "it's time", which is a conditional construction and requires the subjunctive past tense form of the verb which follows it.
3 It's time for you to make a decision.: This is the correct choice. Although this sentence uses "it's time" to introduce an imagined or unreal action (making a decision), we must use the full infinitive form of the verb (to make) following the term "for". The construction "it's time for" + object is followed by a verb in its full infinitive form. Note that if the sentence did not include "for", the subjunctive past tense would be used: "it's time you MADE a decision". The formula "it's time for" + object + verb' introduces an unreal or imagined action WITHOUT using the subjunctive past tense.
3 It's time for you made a decision.: This sentence is grammatically incorrect. The construction "it's time for you..." must be followed by a verb in the full infinitive form (with "to").
3 It's time for you make a decision.: This sentence is grammatically incorrect. The construction "it's time for you..." must be followed by a verb in the full infinitive form (with "to").
3 It's time for you making a decision.: This sentence is grammatically incorrect. The construction "it's time for you..." must be followed by a verb in the full infinitive form (with "to").
Exercise 3
Help plan your next business trip by completing the sentences below with useful office terms.
Only some terms were used in the email.
Dear Brian,
Beginning Monday, I will be of the office for 1 week.
Please all incoming calls to my voicemail service, and have someone set up a/an message for emails.
I will be on September 7th. Please my schedule for that day, as I will have a lot of to do.
Only some terms were used in the email.
Dear Brian,
Beginning Monday, I will be of the office for 1 week.
Please all incoming calls to my voicemail service, and have someone set up a/an message for emails.
I will be on September 7th. Please my schedule for that day, as I will have a lot of to do.
Help plan your next business trip by completing the sentences below with useful office terms.
Only some terms were used in the email.
Dear Brian,
Beginning Monday, I will be out 1 of the office for 1 week.
Please forward 2 all incoming calls to my voicemail service, and have someone set up a/an out of office 3 message for emails.
I will be back 4 on September 7th. Please clear 5 my schedule for that day, as I will have a lot of catching up 6 to do.
Only some terms were used in the email.
Dear Brian,
Beginning Monday, I will be out 1 of the office for 1 week.
Please forward 2 all incoming calls to my voicemail service, and have someone set up a/an out of office 3 message for emails.
I will be back 4 on September 7th. Please clear 5 my schedule for that day, as I will have a lot of catching up 6 to do.
1 out: This is correct. "To be out of the office" is to be "absent" or "gone" from work. Grammatically, "out" is the only term that can be used in this sentence. To be "out of the office" is a common expression, used frequently in the work place.
1 away: This is incorrect. To be "away OF the office" is grammatically incorrect. The preposition "FROM" must be used to make this phrase correct: I will be away FROM the office in May.
1 gone: This is incorrect. "To be gone OF the office" is grammatically incorrect. We could say "I will be gone FROM the office" or I have gone TO Mexico'.
2 forward: "To forward (a call, a letter, an email)" is to transfer it either to another person, address or department. Phone calls can also be "forwarded" to voicemail and message services in case of an absence, for example. Here, Bruno is telling Brian that he wants all phone calls to be automatically forwarded to a machine where messages can be recorded.
2 put: This is incorrect. "To put a call to" does not make sense. We might say "Put the call through" in order to describe connecting or transferring a call however.
2 hold: The expression "(to put someone) on hold" describes leaving a caller waiting on a telephone line, usually while their call is being transferred. This expression can't be used to describe the "forwarding" or "transfer" of a call however.
3 out of office: This is correct. An "out of office" reply, or an "automated reply" is a type of email which can be configured to be sent automatically to senders of an email. This type of message informs the sender of an absence or planned vacation. Most "automated replies" or "out of office" messages are sent while someone is out of town, on holiday, no longer working at a company, etc.
3 leaving from office: This is incorrect. "Leaving from the office" is not the name given to this type of email. This is an awkward phrase, and should never be used in this context!
3 gone out the office: This is incorrect. "Gone out the office" is not the name given to this type of email. This is an awkward phrase, and should never be used in this context!
4 back: This is correct. "I will be back" is a common phrase used to express that one will "return" or once again be present. The phrase is often followed by a time, day or date. Example: I will be back at 3 PM, on Tuesday, or the 15th of January.
4 return: This is incorrect. I will "be return" is grammatically incorrect. We might say "I will return", but even this is a bit formal and unnatural!
4 come again: This is incorrect. "I will come again" is not used to signal the time or date that someone will return. "To be/come back" is a better phrase for this context than "to come again", which is generally used to denote a second passage, ie: It's a shame you don't have the book I'm looking for, I'll come again when it is in stock.
5 clear: This is correct. "To clear one's schedule" is to cancel, postpone or reschedule appointments in order to free one's day, week, month, etc. In his email, Bruno asks Brian to clear his schedule so that he has no obligations or commitments during his trip to New Zealand.
5 empty: This is incorrect. "To empty one's schedule" isn't used in English, but I understand its appeal! The verb "to empty" means to "evacuate" or "remove" the contents of something. For example: Please empty the trash, it's starting to smell.
5 erase: This is incorrect. "To erase one's schedule" isn't used in English, but I understand its appeal! "To erase" is to remove from existence, such as you might do with a pencil.
6 catching up: This is correct. "(To have a lot of) catching up (to do)" is to have a lot of work to do, specifically work which hasn't been done yet, usually due to an absence or holiday. For example: I was sick last week, so this week I have a lot of catching up to do. In another context, "catching up" can refer to talking with someone you haven't seen or spoken to in a while. Ex: I haven't seen you in years! We have a lot of catching up to do!
6 getting back: This is incorrect. "I have a lot of getting back to do" doesn't make sense! "To get back to work" means to return to work. For example: I'm sorry I have to leave right now, I have to get back to work by 2 pm.
6 returning to: This is incorrect. "I have a lot of returning to to do" doesn't make sense!
Exercise 4
The doctor's note concludes with the formula "I remain at your disposition for any further information you might require." This is a common, professional way to conclude a letter.
Which of the following statements could conclude this letter and express a similar meaning?
Which of the following statements could conclude this letter and express a similar meaning?
The doctor's note concludes with the formula "I remain at your disposition for any further information you might require." This is a common, professional way to conclude a letter.
Which of the following statements could conclude this letter and express a similar meaning?
Which of the following statements could conclude this letter and express a similar meaning?
This is the best choice here. To be or to remain "at someone's disposition" is a very polite way of expressing one's availability to address questions or concerns.
To "catch up with someone" doesn't really express the sense of being available for questions or concerns, especially in a professional context. 'To catch up (with someone) is to bring someone up to date, or to get up to date on another person's news.
This formula would be more suited to an invitation to a party or event. To "RSVP" is commonly used to conclude invitations in the States and Great Britain to request that invitee confirms their presence or absence. "XOXO" used at the end of letters and notes, and signifies "hugs and kisses". These endings are used mainly by adolescents or couples who are very much in love.
This formula is a common one in France, however, this construction is never used in English correspondence, even in formal or official documents.
Exercise 5
Choose the sentence that best defines Polly's phrase, "I'm glad I caught you".
Choose the sentence that best defines Polly's phrase, "I'm glad I caught you".
This is not the correct choice. To "trap" someone means to "imprison" or "corner" them so that they can no longer move around freely. Example: The mouse was trapped in the kitchen.
This is not the correct choice. "To catch up (with someone)" is to bring someone up to date, or to get up to date on another person's news. Example: I had not seen Bill in ages so I called him to say we needed to get together and catch up.
This is not the correct choice. The verb "to seize" someone means to grasp or to take hold of someone very strongly. Example: The policeman seized the man and pushed him into the van.
"I'm glad I caught you" means "I'm happy to have found you". We use this expression when we have found someone for whom we were looking. Example: My boss was no longer in his office, but I caught him before he left the building.
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