1. We missed the first two weeks of classes, and we've been playing catch-up ever since! (ie you get stuck behind and the action that you are performing is getting you to where you are expected to be) 2. Jenny, can you come into my office please? Heather and I were wondering whether we could have a few minutes. (Essentially you're just asking if you can have that persons attention for a short period of time, usually to talk about something). 3. Jane and I went out with our friends last night, but when they began to make references to the latest developments in Hollywood, we weren't in the loop enough to know what they were talking about. (Being 'out of the loop' implies that there is a specific set of knowledge that you don't have access to, knowledge that is usually continuously developing in nature. You could also say you were out of the loop if someone asked you about the latest news, or about where your group of friends was planning to get lunch on the weekend, and you hadn't been paying attention to recent developments). Hope that helps!