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MrPernickety Posted 17 years ago
Vocabulary

Meaning of "play catch-up"

Hi,

Does "to play catch-up" mean "to catch up on the current events" ?

Can I use it this way:

1. I've been away for a while, I need to play some catch-up first.

2. You've been out of touch for some time now, so a little playing catch-up is in order

Thanks a bunch !
  

Top answer

It usually means to get out from behind a lot of work, though I suppose it could be used for reading, getting back in touch, etc. 1. Too ambiguous, you need to say what you're trying to catch-up with.

— Vorpar

  • It usually means to get out from behind a lot of work, though I suppose it could be used for reading, getting back in touch, etc.
  • 1.
  • Too ambiguous, you need to say what you're trying to catch-up with.
  • 2.
  • Just my opinion, but it doesn't sound quite right to suggest that someone else needs to play catch-up.
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4 Answers
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It usually means to get out from behind a lot of work, though I suppose it could be used for reading, getting back in touch, etc.

1. Too ambiguous, you need to say what you're trying to catch-up with.
2. Just my opinion, but it doesn't sound quite right to suggest that someone else needs to play catch-up.
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Vorpar
1. Too ambiguous, you need to say what you're trying to catch-up with.


I see your point.

Is this sentence up to code then:

I need to play some catch-up with what's going on in the project

?

Thanks again !
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Sounds fine to me.
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When you are in conflict or competition the act of suggesting "catch-up" to your adversary is synonymous with indicating how far behind they are. This can have the result of either motivating them to work harder, or the result of causing them to abandon the competition because of their developmental disadvantage.
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