1
general::
Phrase(s): catch someone up (on someone or something)
to tell someone the news of someone or something. (Fixed order.) • Oh, please catch me up on what your family is doing. • Yes, do catch us up! • I have to take some time to catch myself up on the news., Phrase(s): catch up (on someone or something)
to learn the news of someone or something. • I need a little time to catch up on the news. • We all need to catch up on what Tony has been doing. • I need some time to catch up., Phrase(s): catch up (to someone or something) [and] catch up (with someone or something)
to move faster in order to reach someone or something who is moving in the same direction. • The red car caught up with the blue one. • Bill caught up with Ann, and they walked to the bank together., Phrase(s): catch up (with someone or something)
Go to catch up (to someone or something)., Phrase(s): catch up (on something)
to bring one’s efforts with something up-to-date; to do the work that one should have done. • I need a quiet time so I can catch up on my work. • He started school late and now has to catch up.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
1. Suddenly snatch or lift up, as in The wind caught up the kite and sent it high above the trees. [First half of 1300s] 2. Also, catch up with. Come from behind, overtake. This usage can be either literal, as in You run so fast it's hard to catch up with you, or figurative, as in The auditors finally caught up with the embezzler. [Mid-1800s] 3. Become involved with, enthralled by, as in We all were caught up in the magical mood of that evening. [Mid-1600s] 4. Also, catch up on or with. Bring or get up to date, as in Let's get together soon and catch up on all the news, or Tonight I have to catch up with my correspondence. [First half of 1900s]
American Heritage Idioms