1To catch up with someone or something ahead; to draw level in position, speed, or progress.
全力で走ってやっとバスに追いついた。
I ran at full speed and finally caught up with the bus.
他社の技術にようやく追いついてきた。
We've finally caught up with the other company's technology.
少し遅れて出発したが、途中で先頭グループに追いついた。
We started a bit late but caught up with the lead group along the way.
需要に生産が追いつかず、品切れが続いている。
Production can't keep up with demand, and items keep going out of stock.
2To make up for a shortfall, delay, or loss, catching up to where things should be.
遅れを取り戻そうと残業して何とか追いついた。
I worked overtime to make up for the delay and somehow managed to catch up.
今月の赤字は来月の利益で追いつく見込みだ。
This month's deficit is expected to be offset by next month's profit.