less common spelling of ketchup
: a seasoned pureed condiment usually made from tomatoes
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Definition of catch-up
: intended to catch up to a theoretical norm or a competitor's accomplishments
First Known Use of catch-up
1945
Definition of catch-up
: the act or fact of catching up or trying to catch up (as with a norm or competitor)
- had to play catch-up
First Known Use of catch-up
1948
catch up
Definition of catch up
1 a
: to pick up often abruptly
- the thief caught the purse up and ran
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
1 a
: to travel fast enough to overtake an advance party
- The soldier ran to catch up with his unit.
b
: to reach a state of parity (see parity 1) 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 (see compensate 1) for something belatedly
- catch up on lost sleep
b
: to acquire belated information
- catch up on the news
Examples of catch up in a Sentence
a young idealist who got caught up in the political fanaticism of the times
completely caught up in opera ever since he saw La Traviata
Recent Examples of catch up from the Web
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Even if regulators do catch up with the changing times, consumers may want to keep their expectations in check.
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The confirmation of Jeffrey Yohai’s extensive involvement with Mueller’s ongoing investigation comes as he has been caught up in another investigation in New York and has reportedly cut a plea deal with federal prosecutors in California.
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The Houston metropolitan area added jobs for the seventh consecutive month in April, catching up to state’s employment growth rate as higher oil prices provide a lift to the local economy.
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PayPal is late to the innovations that Square helped pioneer and is paying a high price to catch up.
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When the officer caught up to him, Anderson wheeled around and struck the officer again, police said.
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Likewise, as a young Patti, Cherise Thomas showcases extraordinary chops and the spirit of a master who knows her value in a studio—even if the rest of the world is just catching up.
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The Browns have dropped their last six games against the Steelers, so catching up to Pittsburgh this quickly seems like a pipe dream.
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But the continuously variable automatic transmission causes some engine sound on acceleration as the CVT catches up with the power demand.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'catch up.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of catch up
see 1catch
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: 14th century
in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
See Words from the same yearLearn More about catchup
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Spanish Central: Translation of catchup
Seen and Heard
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