play catch-up
idiom
: 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
Washington has to play catch-up, and fast, said Sophie Arts, a fellow at the German Marshall Fund focused on Arctic security.
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Sam McNeil, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
But if Broncos head coach Sean Payton, a future Hall of Famer and offensive whiz, burns that blitz early, Maye and the offense must patch a few holes the Texans exploited in order to play catch-up.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
Ben Johnson’s greatest frustration Sunday night stemmed from another uneven and at times wobbly offensive effort that forced the Bears to play catch-up most of the game.
—Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Seven plays in, the offense already had 14 points, setting the tone for a day when Tulane could never play catch-up.
—The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
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Sam McNeil, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
But if Broncos head coach Sean Payton, a future Hall of Famer and offensive whiz, burns that blitz early, Maye and the offense must patch a few holes the Texans exploited in order to play catch-up.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
Ben Johnson’s greatest frustration Sunday night stemmed from another uneven and at times wobbly offensive effort that forced the Bears to play catch-up most of the game.
—Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Seven plays in, the offense already had 14 points, setting the tone for a day when Tulane could never play catch-up.
—The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play catch-up
Cite this Entry
“Play catch-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20catch-up. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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