What Does “Chase sb up” Mean?
“Chase sb up” means to remind someone to do something they have forgotten or delayed, usually by contacting them repeatedly.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “chase sb up” is commonly used in English when you want to prompt someone to complete a task or provide information they have not yet given. It often involves following up with a person to ensure they do what is expected of them. The chase sb up meaning focuses on encouraging action, especially in situations like work, school, or personal commitments. Understanding how to use this phrase can help you communicate more clearly and politely when reminding others.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: chase somebody up
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: remind or follow up with someone to do something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Chase sb up” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object (the person being chased) between the verb and the particle or after the particle.
- chase somebody up
- chase up somebody
Examples of structure:
- I need to chase her up about the report.
- I’ll chase up her tomorrow.
How to Use “Chase sb up”?
You use “chase sb up” when you want to remind or prompt someone to do something they have delayed. It is often used in professional or casual settings to follow up on tasks, payments, replies, or other responsibilities. The phrase conveys polite persistence rather than aggression.
Examples
- I had to chase him up for the invoice three times.
- Can you chase Jane up about the meeting schedule?
- They chased me up to submit the assignment before the deadline.
- We need to chase up the client to get the signed contract.
- She’s always good at chasing people up when they forget their duties.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: I chase up the payment him.
Correct: I chase him up for the payment. - Incorrect: Chase up she for the report.
Correct: Chase her up for the report.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include follow up and remind. However, “chase sb up” implies more active or repeated reminding. “Follow up” can be more formal and less persistent, while “remind” is a simple prompt without the sense of persistence.
Example:
- Chase up: I had to chase him up several times to get the files.
- Follow up: I will follow up with her next week about the project.
- Remind: Please remind John to send the email.
Common Collocations
- chase sb up for payment
- chase sb up about a task
- chase sb up regarding a deadline
- chase sb up on an email
- chase sb up to confirm details
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of chase sb up:
Real-life Dialogue
Alice: Have you sent the report to the manager yet?
Ben: Not yet. I’m waiting for some data from Sarah.
Alice: You should chase her up. The deadline is tomorrow.
Ben: Good idea. I’ll call her now.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “chase sb up”:
- I need to _______ the client _______ about the payment.
- Don’t forget to _______ your teacher _______ if you haven’t received your grade.
- We had to _______ them _______ several times before they replied.
FAQs
- Q: Can “chase sb up” be used in formal writing?
A: It is more common in spoken and informal contexts but can be used in semi-formal emails. - Q: Is “chase sb up” always polite?
A: Usually, yes, but tone matters. It should be polite, not aggressive. - Q: Can I use “chase up” without “sb”?
A: Often “chase up” is followed by a person (sb), but sometimes it can be used alone if the object is clear. - Q: What is the difference between “chase sb up” and “chase after someone”?
A: “Chase sb up” means to remind or follow up, while “chase after someone” means to physically run after them. - Q: Can “chase sb up” be used for non-people objects?
A: No, it is used with people (sb), as you are following up with a person.
