come up from behind
B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To start last or losing and then move forward to catch up or win.
Literal meaning: To move upward and forward from a position at the rear.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To recover from a losing or disadvantaged position and catch up with or overtake competitors.
"The cyclist came up from behind in the final kilometre to win the race by a fraction of a second."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral
To physically approach someone or something from the rear.
"I didn't hear him; he came up from behind and tapped me on the shoulder."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Used in sports, business, and politics to describe a dramatic recovery from a disadvantaged position. Can also be used literally to describe physical approach from the rear. The competitive/figurative sense is more common.
Commonly used with
race competition election field pack standings
Forms
Base
come up from behind
I/you/we/they
3rd person
comes up from behind
he/she/it
Past simple
came up from behind
yesterday
Past participle
come up from behind
have + pp
-ing form
coming up from behind
continuous
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