What Does Catch Me Later Mean?

Catch Me Later Meaning

Definition: Talk to or meet with me later.

The phrase catch me later is an informal way of telling someone that you are too busy to address his or her concern at the present time. This phrase can be used in a few different contexts. A similar phrase, catch me some other time, carries the same meaning as catch me later.

Ways to Use Catch Me Later

This phrase can be used in a variety of ways. If someone says “catch me later,” this usually implies that he or she is too busy to talk to or meet with the other person.

Catch you later or catch ya later is a casual way to bid someone farewell. This phrase is most often used between close friends or acquaintances. “Catch him/her later” is not as commonly used, but has the same meaning as “catch me later.”

Examples of Catch Me Later

Catch me later, catch you later, and catch him/her later have similar meanings, but they aren’t always interchangeable. The phrase catch you later does not imply that the person saying it is too busy to talk to the other person. Instead, it is a casual way of saying goodbye.

An example conversation between two coworkers illustrates the correct use of catch me later.

Dana: Hey, Jill, can I ask you a question?

Jill: Not right now, Dana, I’m really busy. Catch me later today before you leave the office.

This conversation between two old friends illustrates the correct use of catch you later.

Molly: It was great seeing you! We should do this again sometime.

Trish: I had a wonderful time. Yeah, we should. Catch you later.

Although not as commonly used, the following conversation between two coworkers illustrates the correct use of catch him later.

Ted: Hey, Jim, do you know where Bill went? I need him to look over these invoices.

Jim: He might be eating lunch. You’ll have to catch him later.

More Examples

• He told me he’d catch me later and went to take his telephone call. But he didn’t catch me later and I immediately discounted the advice. –LA Times

• “It’s early in the morning,” Sanders boasts. “Catch me later in the afternoon.” –Washington Post

Summary

The English phrase catch me later means talk to or meet with me later. This phrase can be used in a variety of ways.