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Phrasal verbs "catch up on" vs "catch up with"

Differences between catch up on and catch up with

Catch up on means to do something that you have not had time to do recently, such as reading or watching a TV show. Catch up with means to meet someone you haven't seen in a while and talk about what has happened in your lives since you last met.

Meanings and Definitions: catch up on vs catch up with

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Catch up on

  • 1Do something that should have been done earlier.

    I'm going home to CATCH UP ON my sleep.

  • 2Reminisce with an old friend after not seeing them for a while.

    I hadn't seen her for years, so we spent the afternoon CATCHING UP ON old times.

Catch up with

  • 1Do something that should have been done earlier.

    I'm going home to CATCH UP WITH my sleep.

  • 2Meet someone after a period of time and find out what they have been doing.

    I CAUGHT UP WITH her at the conference.

  • 3When something negative starts to have an effect.

    His criminal behaviour is starting to CATCH UP WITH him.

  • 4Punish someone after they have been doing something wrong for a long time.

    The tax authorities CAUGHT UP WITH me for not submitting my tax returns.

  • 5Learn something new that many people already understand.

    My mother's trying to CATCH UP WITH computers.

Usage Examples: catch up on, catch up with in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

catch up on

Example

I need to catch up on my homework this weekend.

Example

She catches up on her favorite TV shows every weekend.

catch up with

Example

I need to catch up with my old friends from college.

Example

She catches up with her childhood friend every few months.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Catch up on

get up to speed

To become current or informed about something that has happened or changed since the last time you were involved.

Example

After being away on vacation, she needed to get up to speed on the latest developments at work.

make up for lost time

To do something quickly or efficiently to compensate for time lost or wasted earlier.

Example

After being sick for a week, he had to make up for lost time by working overtime to meet his deadlines.

be on top of things

To be well-informed and organized, especially in a professional or managerial role.

Example

As a project manager, she always made sure to be on top of things and keep her team informed of any changes or updates.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Catch up with

reconnect with

To meet or communicate with someone again after a period of separation or distance.

Example

After years of living abroad, she was excited to reconnect with her childhood friends during her visit home.

touch base with

To make contact or communicate briefly with someone to exchange information or updates.

Example

He decided to touch base with his former colleagues to see if they knew of any job openings in his field.

catch up on old times

To reminisce or talk about past experiences and memories with someone you haven't seen in a while.

Example

During their reunion, they spent hours catching up on old times and laughing about their shared adventures.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “catch”

Differences in catch up on vs catch up with: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: catch up on or catch up with?

Both catch up on and catch up with are commonly used in everyday conversation. However, catch up with is slightly more common than catch up on.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of catch up on and catch up with

Both catch up on and catch up with are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of catch up on and catch up with

The tone of catch up on and catch up with can differ based on context. Catch up on often carries a relaxed or relieved tone when related to catching up on work or leisure activities, while catch up with typically has a warm and friendly tone, especially when referring to reconnecting with old friends or acquaintances.

catch up on & catch up with: Synonyms and Antonyms

Catch up with

Synonyms

Antonyms

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