getting up to speed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "getting up to speed" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to make progress in understanding something or to make sufficient progress to be able to work effectively. You can use this phrase in many situations where someone needs to become familiar with a task or subject quickly. For example: "I'm new here so I'm still getting up to speed on the company's production process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"He is still getting up to speed," Rodgers said.

Independent

When I visited during opening week in December, the operation was still getting up to speed.

The Guardian - Travel

Getting up to speed on what Crisis now is and does made me ask what, other than writing a cheque, I could do to help.

The Guardian - Books

Getting up to speed physically is one thing.

BBC

Getting up to speed on the material is probably the easiest part.

Science Magazine

Mr Francken says UK regulators are still getting up to speed with the technology, with the occasional result of confused guidelines for operators.

BBC

Blue Apron, for those of you still getting up to speed, is a company that delivers fresh ingredients and recipes to your home for your cooking pleasure.

TechCrunch

Hustle (whilse getting up to speed).

The Guardian

Another challenge is getting up to speed in new technologies.

The New York Times

He's very focused on integrating quickly and getting up to speed.

Independent

Like I say, I'm not confident of ever getting up to speed with this stuff.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "getting up to speed" when you want to emphasize the process of quickly becoming knowledgeable or skilled in a particular area.

Common error

While "getting up to speed" is widely understood, it can sound informal in certain professional or academic settings. Opt for more formal alternatives like "acquiring expertise" or "becoming proficient" when writing reports or scholarly articles.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic phrase "getting up to speed" functions as a verbal phrase, often used with a linking verb (e.g., is getting up to speed) to describe the action of becoming knowledgeable or proficient. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science & Research

15%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

16%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "getting up to speed" is a widely used and grammatically correct idiomatic phrase that describes the process of becoming knowledgeable or skilled in something. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is frequently found in News & Media and Science & Research contexts. While generally neutral in register, it is advisable to use more formal alternatives in highly professional or academic settings. Related phrases include "becoming familiar with" and "acquiring expertise in".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

coming up to speed

Very similar but with a slight variation in verb tense and construction.

becoming proficient in

Emphasizes developing a high degree of skill or expertise.

becoming familiar with

Focuses on the process of gaining knowledge rather than reaching a specific level of proficiency.

acquiring expertise in

Highlights the development of specialized knowledge and skills.

familiarizing oneself with

A more formal way of saying becoming familiar with.

getting acquainted with

Implies an initial stage of learning and familiarization.

getting to grips with

A British idiom meaning to understand and deal with a problem or situation.

learning the ropes

An informal idiom emphasizing the practical aspects of learning a new job or task.

getting the hang of

An informal way to describe the process of understanding how to do something.

catching up on

Focuses on reviewing or learning information that one has missed.

FAQs

How can I use "getting up to speed" in a sentence?

You can use "getting up to speed" to describe the process of becoming knowledgeable or skilled in a particular area. For example, "I'm new to this project, so I'm still getting up to speed on the details".

What is a more formal alternative to "getting up to speed"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "becoming proficient in" or "acquiring expertise in", which convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is "coming up to speed" the same as "getting up to speed"?

Yes, "coming up to speed" is very similar in meaning to "getting up to speed". Both phrases refer to the process of becoming knowledgeable or skilled in something.

What's the difference between "getting up to speed" and "catching up on"?

"Getting up to speed" generally refers to learning something new or becoming familiar with a new situation. "Catching up on", on the other hand, typically refers to reviewing information or learning about events that you have missed.