[Mastering the Phrasal Verb 'Catch Up': Understanding Productivity and Progress]-[1015 Daily Easy English Lesson PODCAST—to get caught up]

Daily Easy English Expression Podcast · A2 · 2021-05-27

📋 Summary

Understanding the Phrasal Verb: 'To Catch Up'

In this episode of Easy English Expressions, the host, Cochain, focuses on the phrasal verb "to catch up," including variations like "to be caught up" and "to get caught up." He clarifies that these phrases are essentially synonymous, representing the act of finishing tasks that should have been completed earlier. He emphasizes the pronunciation of "caught," noting the "A-W sound" rather than a short "cat" sound, and highlights the "flap T" linking that occurs when saying "caught up."

The Concept of Being 'Behind' vs. 'Caught Up'

Cochain contrasts this expression with the state of "being behind," which he discussed in a previous episode. To illustrate, he uses the analogy of a student assigned seven chapters to read over a week. If the student procrastinates and finds themselves at 10 p.m. on the night before class with all seven chapters left to read, they are "way behind." To "get caught up," the student must complete all the work they neglected. He provides practical examples of the usage, such as, "I'm caught up," "I don't think I can catch up," and "I caught up last night."

Practical Application: Managing Emails

Cochain applies the expression to his own daily workflow regarding emails. He admits that even with a team of five people managing communication, he sometimes "falls behind" or "gets behind" when specific tasks are flagged for his personal attention. He explains that for him, "morning is my email time," which is when he makes a concerted effort to "catch up." He encourages listeners to reflect on their own habits: "Are you behind on answering your emails? Or are you caught up?"

Professional Context and Community Building

Beyond the linguistic lesson, Cochain uses the episode to promote his educational programs, specifically the DDM VIP course and the upcoming June Super Sale. He addresses the logistical concerns of international students, noting that his programs are accessible globally, including in countries with firewalls like China and Iran. He underscores the importance of his newsletter, advising listeners to confirm their subscriptions to avoid emails going to "spam." He candidly discusses the business side of his podcast, noting that while he will be sending out numerous promotional emails during the June sale, listeners who find this bothersome are free to "unsubscribe" rather than marking his messages as spam.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a final review of the dialogue: "Yes, I'm finally caught up. What did you catch up on? Emails. I got behind." Cochain leaves his audience with a humorous reminder of the pressure to stay on track, stating, "I'm starting to fall behind in my work and I need to catch up," before encouraging his listeners to keep practicing to "master English."

🎯Key Sentences

Yes, I'm finally caught up.

What did you catch up on?

I got behind.

I am so behind.

Can you help me?

Expand All

📝Key Phrases

to get caught up

to be behind

to fall behind

to catch up on something

to take advantage of

Expand All

📖 Transcript

Hello everybody, my name is Cochain and welcome to Easy English Expressions.

Come on, let's master English.

Hello everybody, welcome back to the Easy English Expressions.

The Budgees.

This is number one thousand fifteen.

My name is Cochain.

Or study on the web version →