Meaning trap
catch up
talk about recent news
To talk to someone you haven't seen for a while and share recent news or updates about your lives.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To talk to someone you haven't seen for a while and share recent news or updates about your lives.
Another meaning of 'catch up' is 'reach the same level'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
Let's grab coffee this weekend and catch up—it's been ages since we talked.
When I visit my hometown, I always catch up with old friends to hear about what's new in their lives.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: Let's catch up the news.
Say: Let's catch up. / Let's catch up on the news.
'Catch up' (with a person) or 'catch up ON' news/work — not 'catch up the news'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Catch up' is exactly how friends suggest meeting to share news; the formal paraphrase is bizarre between friends.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
catch up + social
- with friends
- over coffee
- soon
- on the news
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- catch up (reach the same level) — Another meaning of 'catch up' is 'reach the same level'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.