make up ground quickly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make up ground quickly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone or something is trying to catch up or close a gap, often in competition or progress. Example: "After falling behind in the race, she managed to make up ground quickly and finished in second place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

And Apple's willingness to work with partners as it has with the entertainment industry may help it make up ground quickly.

MIT Technology Review

Mr. Byrne said Achronix in 2009 had virtually no market share but that it could make up ground quickly if the chips manufactured by Intel did deliver the expected cost and performance increases.

The New York Times

And with all due respect, she's eleven points down -- that's not out of the game, but she's got to make up ground and make up ground quickly.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

While Matthew failed to improve her score in sunny, almost windless conditions, Pak and Diaz made up ground quickly.

The New York Times - Sports

He had trailed Mr. Mondale by 30 points in the polls before his second-place finish in Iowa and was making up ground quickly.

The New York Times

Even if Blockbuster manages to make up ground on rental rivals like Netflix, the game may be changing too quickly for the company to keep pace.

Forbes

Even if Blockbuster manages to make up ground on mail-order rental rivals like Netflix, the game may be changing too quickly for the company to keep pace.

Forbes

You can make up a lot of ground there, and the leaders may lose ground as you make up ground".

The New York Times - Sports

All English teams need to make up ground.

Independent

Notre Dame quickly made up ground with putbacks and transition layups.

The New York Times - Sports

Air Force Blue, by another top Kentucky-based sire, War Front, started at even money but he was slowly away and, although quickly making up ground to track the leaders, the response was minimal when Heffernan asked for an effort.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make up ground quickly" when you want to emphasize the speed and efficiency of recovering from a disadvantage or deficit, especially in competitive contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "make up ground quickly" in situations where a gradual or steady recovery is more appropriate. This phrase implies a rapid and noticeable change in position or status.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make up ground quickly" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of rapidly recovering from a disadvantage. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It describes a dynamic process of catching up or gaining on others.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make up ground quickly" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to convey the idea of rapidly recovering from a deficit or setback. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in English. While suitable for various contexts, it is most frequently found in news, sports, and business reporting. Its strength lies in emphasizing the speed and efficiency of the recovery process, making it a valuable tool for writers seeking to highlight dynamic improvements or comebacks. Alternatives like "catch up swiftly" or "close the gap rapidly" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close the gap rapidly

Emphasizes reducing the distance between two entities in a fast manner.

catch up swiftly

Highlights the act of overtaking or reaching the same level in a quick timeframe.

recover lost advantage fast

Focuses on regaining a previously held lead or positive position with speed.

gain quickly on the leader

Specifically refers to reducing the distance to the frontrunner in a competition or race.

diminish the deficit rapidly

Emphasizes the reduction of a negative difference or disadvantage at a high pace.

accelerate progress to equalize

Highlights increasing the speed of advancement to achieve parity.

overcome setbacks promptly

Focuses on swiftly addressing and moving past obstacles or negative events.

bridge the divide expeditiously

Refers to closing a gap or difference in an efficient and speedy manner.

reduce the lag without delay

Emphasizes minimizing a period of being behind or trailing with immediate action.

make significant strides to equalize

Highlights large improvements made to achieve a level playing field.

FAQs

What does it mean to "make up ground quickly"?

To "make up ground quickly" means to rapidly recover from a disadvantage, setback, or loss, often in a competitive situation. It implies a fast and significant improvement in position or status.

Can I use "make up ground quickly" in formal writing?

Yes, "make up ground quickly" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appears in reputable news sources. However, ensure the context is appropriate and that the emphasis on speed is relevant.

What are some alternatives to "make up ground quickly"?

You can use alternatives like "catch up swiftly", "close the gap rapidly", or "gain quickly on the leader" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "make up ground" and "make up ground quickly"?

Yes, "make up ground" generally means to recover from a loss or setback. Adding "quickly" emphasizes the speed and rapidity of the recovery. For example, "She needs to "make up ground"" suggests a general need to recover, while "She needs to make up ground quickly" emphasizes the urgency and speed required for that recovery.