Catch up synonym,synonyms of catch up

Similarities: Both "catch up" and "overtake" imply moving from a position behind someone or something to being level with or ahead of them. For example, in a race, a runner might try to catch up/overtake the person in front. They both involve the idea of closing a gap and advancing in relation to another.
Differences: "Overtake" often emphasizes the moment of actually passing or getting ahead of the other. It's more about the specific act of moving from behind to in front. "Catch up" can have a broader meaning and might not always mean getting ahead. It could just mean reaching the same position or level, without necessarily going beyond. For example, you can catch up with a friend who is walking ahead, but you might not overtake them unless you want to walk in front.

Similarities: In some contexts, "reach" can be similar to "catch up" in the sense of arriving at a particular point or position that someone else has already reached. If you are trying to catch up to a group that has walked ahead, you are essentially trying to reach the same place as them. For example, you might say "I need to reach the others before they turn the corner" which is similar to "I need to catch up with the others before they turn the corner".
Differences: "Reach" is more about arriving at a destination or a specific point. It doesn't always imply the idea of starting from behind and closing a gap like "catch up" does. You can reach a place on your own, without the context of following someone else. For example, you reach the top of a mountain. "Catch up" always has the connotation of following and trying to match the progress or position of someone or something else.

Similarities: "Keep up" and "catch up" both involve the idea of maintaining a certain pace or level in relation to others. If you are able to keep up with a group, it means you are able to stay at the same speed or level as them, which is similar to what you do when you catch up. For example, in a class, if you keep up with the lessons, it means you are understanding and progressing at the same rate as the rest of the class, similar to catching up if you had fallen behind.
Differences: "Keep up" is more about maintaining the current pace or level and not falling behind. "Catch up" is more focused on starting from a position of being behind and then getting to the same level. If you are already at the same level as others, you keep up. But if you are behind, you catch up. For example, if you are running with a group and you start to slow down, you need to catch up. But if you are running at the same speed, you are keeping up.

Similarities: "Close the gap" and "catch up" both express the idea of reducing the distance or difference between oneself and something or someone else. Whether it's a physical distance, a performance gap, or a knowledge gap, both phrases imply making up the difference and getting closer. For instance, in business, a company might try to close the gap/catch up with its competitors in terms of market share.
Differences: "Close the gap" is more of a general expression that focuses on reducing the difference. "Catch up" is more commonly used in a variety of contexts and has a more personal or immediate feel. "Close the gap" is often used in more technical or strategic discussions, like in sports analytics to talk about a team closing the gap in points. "Catch up" can be used in everyday situations like catching up with a friend who is walking ahead or catching up on missed work.

Similarities: "Make up ground" and "catch up" are similar in that they both mean to gain on someone or something that is ahead. They both involve the idea of reducing the lead that others have and getting closer to them. For example, in a business race, a company might try to make up ground/catch up with its rivals by introducing new products.
Differences: "Make up ground" is a more vivid and often used in a more competitive or dynamic context, like in a race or a competitive market. It emphasizes the act of covering the distance or making up for lost time or progress. "Catch up" is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of situations, including non-competitive ones. You can catch up with a friend's news, which is not really about a competitive race to make up ground.