1. This is used in a situation where you are behind or losing from the start. For example if you were playing soccer and the score was 3-0 you would've "been playing catch-up ever since." As you were losing from the start and now trying to catch-up to the score 2. This is used when you need to talk to someone for a quick discussion, or when you need more time to prepare for something. E.g "Excuse me, i was wondering if we could have a few minutes to talk?" and "We were wondering if we could have a few minutes to finish our work" 3. "Not in the loop" is another way of saying, "I don't know enough about it". For example if someone said "Do you know who won the soccer last night?" I would say, "I'm not in the loop sorry" because I don't watch soccer.