What Does โChase sth outโ Mean?
โChase sth outโ means to force something or someone to leave a place by chasing or scaring them away.
Introduction
The phrase โchase sth outโ is a useful phrasal verb in English that describes the action of making someone or something leave a place, usually by pursuing them. The โsthโ stands for โsomething,โ which means you can replace it with a noun. For example, you can chase a cat out of a room or chase bad thoughts out of your mind. Understanding the chase sth out meaning helps learners use this phrase naturally in different situations. It is commonly used both in literal and figurative contexts, making it versatile for everyday conversations.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: chase something out
- Type: transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to force something or someone to leave by chasing
Structure (Grammar Rules)
โChase sth outโ is a separable transitive phrasal verb. You can place the object (something) between โchaseโ and โoutโ or after โout.โ
- chase + object + out (e.g., chase the cat out)
- chase out + object (e.g., chase out the cat)
Both structures are correct and commonly used.
How to Use โChase sth outโ?
This phrasal verb is used when you want to express that you or someone else makes someone or something leave a place by chasing or scaring them. It can be applied to animals, people, or even abstract ideas like fears or doubts. For example, you can say, โThe noise chased the birds out of the garden,โ or โShe chased the bad thoughts out of her mind.โ
Examples
- The dog chased the squirrels out of the yard.
- We had to chase the kids out of the kitchen because they were making a mess.
- He tried to chase the negative feelings out by listening to music.
- The loud music chased the customers out of the restaurant.
- Chase sth out in a sentence: The farmer chased the crows out of the field.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: She chased out the cat the room.
- Correct: She chased the cat out of the room.
- Incorrect: They chased out away the birds.
- Correct: They chased the birds out.
Remember that the object usually comes between โchaseโ and โout,โ or after โout.โ Also, โoutโ is necessary to complete the meaning.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include โdrive out,โ โrun off,โ and โforce out.โ
- Drive out: Often implies a stronger or more formal action to remove someone or something.
- Run off: Usually means to make someone leave quickly, often by fear.
- Force out: Means to make someone leave, often under pressure or authority.
โChase sth outโ tends to emphasize the action of pursuit or scaring away.
Common Collocations
- chase animals out (e.g., cats, dogs, birds)
- chase people out (e.g., intruders, kids)
- chase fears out
- chase thoughts out
- chase pests out (e.g., insects, rodents)
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of chase sth out:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: There were so many birds in the garden this morning!
Tom: Yeah, the dog chased them out before breakfast.
Anna: I guess the noise scared them away.
Tom: Exactly. Sometimes you just have to chase unwanted guests out.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of โchase sth outโ:
- The farmer ______ the crows ______ of his field.
- She tried to ______ the bad thoughts ______ by meditating.
- The loud music ______ the customers ______ early.
FAQs
- Q: Is โchase sth outโ formal or informal?
A: It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. - Q: Can I use โchase outโ without an object?
A: No, this phrasal verb needs an object to make sense. - Q: What does โsthโ mean in โchase sth outโ?
A: โSthโ is short for โsomething,โ meaning you replace it with a noun. - Q: Is โchase outโ separable?
A: Yes, you can separate the verb and particle with the object. - Q: Can โchase sth outโ be used figuratively?
A: Yes, you can chase out feelings, thoughts, or fears.
