follow-up

[fol-oh-uhp]

noun

1. the act of following up.

2. an action or thing that serves to increase the effectiveness of a previous one, as a second or subsequent letter, phone call, or visit.

3. Also called follow. Journalism.

   1. a news story providing additional information on a story or article previously published.

   2. Also called supplementary story. Also called sidebar. a minor news story used to supplement a related story of major importance.

adjective

1. designed or serving to follow up, especially to increase the effectiveness of a previous action.

   a follow-up interview; a follow-up offer.

2. of or relating to action that follows an initial treatment, course of study, etc..

   follow-up care for mental patients; a follow-up survey.

follow up

verb

1. to pursue or investigate (a person, evidence, etc) closely

2. to continue (action) after a beginning, esp to increase its effect

noun

1. 1. something done to reinforce an initial action

   2. ( as modifier )

      a follow-up letter

2. med a routine examination of a patient at various intervals after medical or surgical treatment

Word History and Origins

Origin of follow up¹

First recorded in 1920–25; noun, adj. use of verb phrase follow up

Idioms and Phrases

Carry to completion. For example, I'm following up their suggestions with concrete proposals . Also see follow through .

Increase the effectiveness or enhance the success of something by further action. For example, She followed up her interview with a phone call . [Late 1700s]

Example Sentences

But it’s notable that when I follow up with Tanenbaum to ask a final question — what kinds of messages does she get from the concerned parents of sons? — her answer is a resounding “none.”

From Salon

Before reporters could follow up by asking “Close to what?”

From Los Angeles Times

He followed up the post with a photo of himself lying on a hospital stretcher, wearing a neck brace and holding two thumbs up.

From Los Angeles Times

World Athletics says any initial positive results will be followed up with further medical assessments, allowing for an accurate diagnosis before a decision over eligibility is made.

From BBC

Then, Nestor Cortes followed up his six shutout innings against the Dodgers last week with a three-inning, three-run clunker that was punctuated with an ejection.

From Los Angeles Times