Get up on

[dedicatedenglish]

I'm in a running event and I want to say I don't think I can catch up with the rest of the team, is this an understanding way to express that:

I don't think I can get up on the rest of the team.

 

[Rover_KE]

Definitely not—catch up with is perfect.

 

[teechar]

I'm in a running event and I want to say I don't think I can catch up with the rest of the team.

OK. Say that.

, is Is this another way of saying: understanding way to express that:

I don't think I can get up on the rest of the team.

No. That would be wrong.

 

[emsr2d2]

I'm a bit confused by the use of the word "team". Usually, the competitors in a running race are racing against each other individually. Do you mean that you're quite a long way behind in the race and you don't think there's a chance of you catching the runners in front of you?
The only team race I can think of is the relay and you're still not trying to catch up with your own team in that - you're just each trying to beat the other teams in each leg and overall.

 

[dedicatedenglish]

If I change "team" to "frontrunner", would the sentence work?

I don't think I can get up on the frontrunner = I don't think I can outperform the frontrunner?

 

[5jj]

No.

 

[dedicatedenglish]

To clarify, if I say "I don't think I can get up on the frontrunner", does that sentence mean anything to you?

 

[5jj]

No.

 

[dedicatedenglish]

Is this phrase also not understandable in AE?

 

[emsr2d2]

What has made you think that "get up to" means the same as "catch up with"?

 

[dedicatedenglish]

I think of the phrase literally. In a race, people will have different positions. I think of "up on someone" as improving my position, compared to that person.

 

[Tarheel]

It's a phrase you invented. Besides, "catch up with" already exists.

 

[emsr2d2]

I think of the phrase literally.

Do you mean you're translating it directly from Vietnamese?

In a race, people will have are in different positions.

We say that people are "in" particular positions (or places) in a race.
Dave's in third position.
Helen's in second place.
Warren is currently in first place but everything could change.

I think of "up on someone" as improving my position, compared to that person anyone ahead of me.

The only word in that three-word phrase you've invented that suggests improving your position is "up". That's why it appears in the phrase we actually use - "catch up with".

 

[Skrej]

Is this phrase also not understandable in AE?

It's as nonsensical in AmE as it apparently is in BrE.