make up for lost time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make up for lost time" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically refers to catching up on something or doing something more quickly or eagerly than usual in order to make progress that was lost in the past. For example, "After we had a big argument, we wanted to make up for lost time and started talking through our issues immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We make up for lost time".

The New York Times

Did you feel motivated to make up for lost time?

The New Yorker

Now, Ecuador is trying to make up for lost time.

The Economist

But I can't make up for lost time.

The New York Times

Now he'd be able to make up for lost time.

The Guardian

We're trying to make up for lost time here".

The New York Times

But he's trying to make up for lost time now.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Then we'll try to make up for lost time".

The New York Times - Sports

Macpherson has certainly tried to make up for lost time.

The Guardian - Business

Now he wanted to make up for lost time.

The Guardian - Books

But their opportunity to make up for lost time is now or never.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make up for lost time", ensure the context clearly indicates what time was lost and how the action compensates for it.

Common error

Avoid rushing excessively to "make up for lost time", as this can lead to errors or decreased quality in the work.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make up for lost time" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically serving as a verb phrase. It describes an attempt to compensate for delays or missed opportunities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely recognized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make up for lost time" is a common and grammatically sound idiomatic expression used to describe efforts to compensate for delays or missed opportunities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. Predominantly found in News & Media, Formal & Business and Science contexts, the phrase is versatile and easily understood. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the context clearly indicates what time was lost and how the action is compensating for it. Alternatives such as "catch up" or "compensate for the delay" can be used depending on the desired nuance. However, it's crucial to avoid excessive rushing, which can lead to errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

catch up

Focuses on reaching the required level after falling behind, emphasizing the action of getting up to speed.

compensate for the delay

Highlights the act of offsetting the negative impact of a delay, focusing on amends.

recoup the losses

Implies recovering something that was lost, usually referring to resources or opportunities.

redouble efforts

Focuses on intensifying effort to achieve a goal, often after a setback.

accelerate progress

Emphasizes increasing the pace of advancement to reach the desired outcome more quickly.

gain ground rapidly

Suggests quickly advancing or closing a gap, highlighting speed and achievement.

make amends for the past

Focuses on repairing relationships or rectifying past mistakes, with a broader scope.

recover the deficit

Implies restoring a shortfall, often in financial or resource terms.

close the gap

Highlights reducing the distance between a current state and a desired goal, typically implying competition.

overcompensate

Involves exceeding what is necessary to correct an imbalance, potentially leading to excess.

FAQs

How can I use "make up for lost time" in a sentence?

You can use "make up for lost time" to describe efforts to compensate for delays. For example, "After the strike ended, the company tried to "make up for lost time" by increasing production."

What's a good alternative to "make up for lost time"?

Alternatives include "catch up", "compensate for the delay", or "redouble efforts", depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to "make up for lost time"?

While it's often desirable to "make up for lost time", it's important to assess whether rushing to do so will compromise quality or create unnecessary stress. Sometimes, accepting the delay and adjusting expectations is a better approach.

What are some contexts where "make up for lost time" is commonly used?

"Make up for lost time" is frequently used in contexts involving project management, personal development, and recovering from setbacks in relationships or careers.