1
general::
Also, make up ground. Hurry to compensate for wasted time, as in They married late but hoped to make up for lost time, or We're behind in the schedule, and we'll just have to make up ground as best we can. The first term was first recorded in 1774; the variant dates from the late 1800s.
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): make up for lost time
to catch up; to go fast to balance a period of going slow or not moving. • We drove as fast as we could, trying to make up for lost time. • Hurry. We have to make up for lost time.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs