playing catch-up

USAGE SUMMARY

"playing catch-up" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It is often used in a business context to refer to someone or an organization that is trying to gain ground on a competitor. For example: "We are playing catch-up with our biggest rival, who has recently released a new product line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

"We're playing catch-up.

The New York Times - Sports

Regulators are playing catch-up.

The New York Times

Now, Menlo is playing catch-up.

The New York Times

Or are we just playing catch-up?

Independent

"The Health Secretary is playing catch-up.

Independent

"But we were always playing catch-up.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Many are playing catch up.

The New York Times

First, we're playing catch up.

Columbia University

But now they're playing catch up.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Microsoft and Sony are now playing catch up.

The New York Times - Arts

"And we found ourselves playing catch up.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "playing catch-up", ensure the context clearly indicates what or whom is being caught up to. Provide specific details to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "playing catch-up" when the subject is already at the forefront or leading. This phrase explicitly indicates a state of being behind and striving to reach a certain level, so it would not be appropriate if the subject is already ahead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "playing catch-up" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an action or process of trying to reach a level that one is currently behind. Ludwig AI confirms this is a standard construction. It is commonly used as part of a sentence's predicate to describe the subject's current state or activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "playing catch-up" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of trying to reach a desired level after falling behind. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, its neutral register allows for application across various contexts, including academia and business. While versatile, it's important to remember that it describes a state of being behind; misuse can occur if applied to subjects already leading. Alternatives like "making up lost ground" or "gaining ground" can offer subtle shifts in emphasis, though "playing catch-up" succinctly conveys the active pursuit of closing a gap.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

catching up to speed

Highlights the element of speed or pace and the need to match it.

making up lost ground

Highlights the effort to recover from a previous setback or delay.

compensating for lost time

Underscores the attempt to make up for delays or missed opportunities.

closing the gap

Focuses on reducing the difference between current and desired performance.

narrowing the lead

Specifically relates to reducing the advantage someone else has.

gaining ground

Emphasizes progress being made but not necessarily having caught up completely.

overcoming a deficit

Addresses the challenge of surpassing a disadvantage or shortage.

accelerating progress

Focuses on increasing the speed of advancement to reach a goal faster.

redressing the balance

Focuses on correcting an imbalance or inequality.

striving to equalize

Highlights the endeavor to reach a point of equality, often after a period of inequality.

FAQs

How can I use "playing catch-up" in a sentence?

You can use "playing catch-up" to describe efforts to overcome a deficit. For instance: "After the delay, the project team was "playing catch-up" to meet the deadline."

What does it mean to be "playing catch-up"?

To be "playing catch-up" means that you are behind and trying to advance quickly to reach the same level as others. It implies an initial disadvantage that requires effort to overcome.

What can I say instead of "playing catch-up"?

You can use alternatives like "making up lost ground", "gaining ground", or "closing the gap" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "playing catch-up" appropriate for formal writing?

"Playing catch-up" is generally acceptable for most writing contexts, including some formal situations. However, for highly formal or academic writing, consider using alternatives such as "compensating for lost time" or "redressing the balance" to maintain a more elevated tone.