play catch-up

phrase

: to try to reach the same position, score, etc., as a competitor after one has fallen behind

The team fell behind in the second inning and has had to play catch-up ever since.

The company has been trying to play a difficult game of catch-up ever since its competitor introduced the new product.

Examples of play catch-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

By delivering a 25-basis-point hike in July, the Fed could demonstrate continued resolve on inflation, retain room to maneuver in the face of future shocks, and mitigate the risk of once again being forced to play catch-up. — Justin Zacks, CNBC, 24 July 2026

The original vision for Base is in tatters and much of the project now looks like a costly distraction that has embittered numerous users, and forced Coinbase to play catch-up to ascendant crypto powerhouses like Hyperliquid and Robinhood. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 20 July 2026

Jean-Claude Mputu, deputy director at Resource Matters, a nonprofit focused on natural-resource governance, said the US is having to play catch-up with China in DR Congo, and obtaining geological data is key to those efforts. — Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 13 July 2026

In the context of Murray’s league-wide reputation, this occasion represents more of a starting gun for the individual accolades to play catch-up. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026

Rhymes for play catch-up

• buttercup
• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup