play catch-up
idiom
: to try to reach the same position, score, etc., as a competitor after one has fallen behind
The team fell behind in the second inning and has had to play catch-up ever since.
The company has been trying to play a difficult game of catch-up ever since its competitor introduced the new product.
Examples of play catch-up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The worst-case scenario is that low transmission throughout autumn was sheer luck, and over the next few weeks the virus will rapidly play catch-up.
—
Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2024
Each would be forced to play catch-up with the other Senate freshmen if appointed, having missed orientation and the chance to shadow colleagues.
—David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Nov. 2024
But in its scramble to play catch-up, the company also released a pair of AI products that initially proved embarrassing.
—Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 27 Dec. 2024
Advertisement After running a season-low 11 times last week while trying to play catch-up against the Buccaneers, the Chargers stayed committed to the ground attack with 28 carries Thursday.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for play catch-up
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Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2024
Each would be forced to play catch-up with the other Senate freshmen if appointed, having missed orientation and the chance to shadow colleagues.
—David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Nov. 2024
But in its scramble to play catch-up, the company also released a pair of AI products that initially proved embarrassing.
—Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 27 Dec. 2024
Advertisement After running a season-low 11 times last week while trying to play catch-up against the Buccaneers, the Chargers stayed committed to the ground attack with 28 carries Thursday.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for play catch-up
Cite this Entry
“Play catch-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20catch-up. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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