What Does “Chase sb away” Mean?
“Chase sb away” means to make someone leave a place by going after them, often to remove or scare them off.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “chase sb away” is commonly used in English to describe the action of forcing someone to leave a location, usually by pursuing or threatening them. The phrase is often applied in situations where unwanted visitors, animals, or even ideas are removed or discouraged. Understanding the chase sb away meaning helps learners grasp how to express the act of driving someone off in a natural and simple way. This phrase is useful in everyday conversations and written English when describing actions of removal or rejection.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: chase somebody away
- Type: transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Meaning: to make someone leave by pursuing or frightening them
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Chase sb away” is a transitive phrasal verb, which means it requires an object (someone or something) after “chase.” It is generally inseparable, so the object comes immediately after “chase.”
Pattern: chase + somebody + away
Example: The guard chased the intruders away.
How to Use “Chase sb away”?
You use “chase sb away” when you want to express that someone or something is being forced to leave a place. It can be used in formal or informal contexts and often describes physical or metaphorical removal.
It can refer to people, animals, or even ideas (e.g., “chase fears away”). The phrase emphasizes the action of pursuit or intimidation to cause departure.
Examples
- The farmer chased the wild dogs away from his crops.
- She chased the noisy kids away from the garden.
- The loud music chased the customers away from the café.
- Chase sb away in a sentence: The security guard chased the trespassers away quickly.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: He chased away the dog the park.
Correct: He chased the dog away from the park. - Incorrect: They chased away.
Correct: They chased the thieves away.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include:
- Drive away: Also means to make someone leave, but can imply a stronger or more forceful action.
- Send away: Means to order someone to leave, often politely or officially.
- Run off: Means to make someone leave quickly, usually by fear or surprise.
Difference: “Chase sb away” focuses on the act of pursuit, while “drive away” can be more general, and “send away” is more formal.
Common Collocations
- Chase animals away
- Chase intruders away
- Chase strangers away
- Chase birds away
- Chase pests away
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of chase sb away:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: There were some kids making noise in the backyard.
Ben: Did you chase them away?
Anna: Yes, I asked them to leave, and then I chased them away when they didn’t listen.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase:
The gardener ______ the stray cats ______ so they wouldn’t eat the plants.
- a) chased / away
- b) chased away
- c) chased away from
Answer: a) chased / away
FAQs
- Q: Can “chase sb away” be used with animals?
A: Yes, it is common to use it with animals like dogs, birds, or pests. - Q: Is “chase sb away” formal or informal?
A: It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. - Q: Can “chase sb away” be used in the past tense?
A: Yes, for example, “He chased the intruders away yesterday.” - Q: What is the difference between “chase sb away” and “drive sb away”?
A: “Chase sb away” involves pursuit, while “drive sb away” can be more general and forceful.
