catch up on lost time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "catch up on lost time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you and someone else have not spent time together, or not been doing something together, for a period of time and you want to make up for that time. For example, "After being apart for a few years, we decided to catch up on lost time and reconnect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Partly, this has been to catch up on lost time.

The Economist

Since being released from prison, Mr. Newton has tried to catch up on lost time.

The New York Times

The fate of many artists was worse.Now Russians are racing to catch up on lost time.

The Economist

At this time, the guests enjoy the appetizers as they mingle and catch up on lost time and while they await the bride and groom.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Catching up on lost time" had the dancers performing their actions like speed demons.

The New York Times - Arts

Craig Ayers makes breakfasts for his two children, watches "Blue's Clues" and catches up on lost time.

The New York Times

When he comes home, he catches up on lost time by criss-crossing his country, opening new public facilities and dispensing largesse as ministers and governors trot along behind.In September a court in the southern town of Agadir sentenced a blogger, Muhammad Erraji, to two years in prison plus a fine.

The Economist

This might be a temporary arrangement just to get you through exams or to catch up on lost sleep.

WikiHow

European leaders have made clear there is little room to manoeuvre and Greece must catch up with lost time on its commitments if it is to receive any more cash.

Huffington Post

They have a shared responsibility to help the countries of Eastern Europe catch up with lost time.

Huffington Post

Hofmans is catching up for lost time.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "catch up on lost time", ensure the context clearly indicates what time was lost and why it needs to be recovered. For example, specify if it's sleep, studies, or relationships.

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "catch up on lost time" excessively in casual conversations. Opt for simpler phrases like "reconnect" or "spend more time together" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch up on lost time" functions primarily as a verbal phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it describes the action of compensating for time that was missed or not utilized fully, often implying a desire to reconnect or make amends. It is often about actions undertaken to recover from periods of absence or neglect.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "catch up on lost time" is a grammatically correct verbal phrase used to express the intention of compensating for missed opportunities or experiences. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English. While moderately frequent, its application spans diverse contexts, notably News & Media and Wiki sources. The phrase holds a neutral tone, suitable for general usage. To maximize clarity, it's beneficial to specify what "time" refers to. Consider alternatives like "make up for lost opportunities" or "reclaim lost moments" to add nuance to your writing. Avoid overuse in highly informal settings for a more natural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Recapture lost time

Suggests regaining something valuable that was previously lost.

Make up for lost opportunities

Focuses on rectifying missed chances rather than time itself.

Recoup missed periods

Suggests recovering or regaining specific intervals that were missed or lost.

Reclaim lost moments

Emphasizes the act of recovering or restoring valuable experiences that were missed.

Compensate for missed experiences

Highlights the act of balancing or offsetting the lack of past experiences.

Enjoy belated experiences

Highlights the enjoyment of experiences that are happening later than expected.

Seize delayed opportunities

Emphasizes taking advantage of opportunities that were postponed or are now available.

Pursue belated goals

Emphasizes actively striving towards objectives that were initiated later than originally intended.

Make amends for neglecting time

Focuses on repairing the consequences of failing to dedicate proper attention to something.

Remedy prior neglect

Concentrates on addressing and correcting previous oversights or failures in attention.

FAQs

How can I use "catch up on lost time" in a sentence?

You can use "catch up on lost time" to express the desire to compensate for missed opportunities or experiences, such as "After being away on business, I plan to catch up on lost time with my family".

What's a more formal alternative to "catch up on lost time"?

In a formal setting, you could use phrases like "remedy prior neglect" or "compensate for missed experiences" to convey a similar meaning.

How does "catch up on lost time" differ from "make up for lost time"?

"Catch up on lost time" generally refers to spending time to reconnect or enjoy experiences that were missed, whereas "make up for lost time" often implies compensating for negative consequences or deficiencies.

Is it correct to say "catching up on lost time"?

Yes, "catching up on lost time" is a correct and commonly used gerund phrase. For example, "Catching up on lost time with friends is important for my well-being".