What Does “Chase sb down” Mean?
“Chase sb down” means to pursue someone in order to catch or find them, often to get their attention or to resolve something.
Introduction
The phrase “chase sb down” is a common phrasal verb in English used to describe the act of actively pursuing someone. This can be both literal, like running after someone, or figurative, such as trying to contact or find someone persistently. Understanding the “chase sb down meaning” helps learners use it in various real-life situations, whether in casual conversations or writing. It is a useful expression to describe determination and effort toward catching or locating a person.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: chase somebody down
- Type: transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to pursue and catch someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Chase sb down” is a separable phrasal verb, meaning you can place the object between the verb and the particle or after the particle.
- chase somebody down
- chase down somebody
Examples:
- He chased the thief down.
- He chased down the thief.
How to Use “Chase sb down”?
You use “chase sb down” when talking about trying hard to find or catch someone. It can be used in physical situations, like chasing someone who runs away, or in more abstract ways, such as chasing down a person to get information or a signature.
It often shows determination and effort. The phrase is common in everyday speech, storytelling, and even business contexts when referring to tracking someone for a purpose.
Examples
- The police chased the suspect down the street.
- I had to chase him down to get my book back.
- She chased down the reporter to ask some questions.
- We finally chased down the manager to discuss the problem.
- They chased down the customer to confirm the order details.
These examples show “chase sb down in a sentence” used in different contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: I chased down to him.
Correct: I chased him down. - Incorrect: She chased down quickly the thief.
Correct: She chased down the thief quickly. - Incorrect: They chased down for the signature.
Correct: They chased down the person for the signature.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include “run after,” “track down,” and “hunt down.”
- Run after: Usually physical chasing, less formal.
- Track down: More about finding someone or something after searching carefully.
- Hunt down: Stronger, often with more effort or danger implied.
“Chase sb down” often suggests a fast or active pursuit, while “track down” emphasizes searching and locating.
Common Collocations
- chase someone down the street
- chase down a thief
- chase down a customer
- chase down a reporter
- chase down a signature
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of chase sb down:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: Did you manage to get the report from John?
Ben: Yes, I had to chase him down after the meeting.
Anna: Was he hard to find?
Ben: A bit, but I finally caught up with him in the break room.
Practice
Fill in the blank:
I had to _______ the delivery driver _______ to confirm the address.
- a) chase / down
- b) chase / up
- c) run / after
Correct answer: a) chase / down
FAQs
- Q: Is “chase sb down” formal or informal?
A: It is mostly informal but can be used in formal situations depending on context.
- Q: Can “chase sb down” be used figuratively?
A: Yes, it can mean trying hard to contact or find someone, not just physically chasing.
- Q: What is the difference between “chase down” and “track down”?
A: “Chase down” implies active pursuit, while “track down” focuses on searching carefully.
- Q: Can I separate the phrasal verb?
A: Yes, you can say “chase him down” or “chase down him.”
- Q: Is “chase sb down” only for people?
A: Usually for people, but sometimes it can be used for animals or even abstract things like information.
