Is "hunt sb down" formal or informal?

It is mostly informal but can be used in formal writing when appropriate.

Can I use "hunt down" with objects?

Usually, it is used with people or animals, not objects.

Is "hunt sb down" separable?

No, the object must come after the entire phrasal verb.

Hunt sb down Meaning, Examples & How to Use in English

What Does “Hunt sb down” Mean?

“Hunt sb down” means to search for someone persistently until you find them. It often implies effort or determination in locating a person.

Introduction

The phrase “hunt sb down” is a common phrasal verb in English that describes the act of looking for someone with determination. When you “hunt someone down,” you actively seek them out, often after some difficulty or delay. This phrase is useful in everyday conversations, storytelling, and writing, especially when describing situations involving searching or tracking people. Understanding the “hunt sb down meaning” helps learners use it appropriately in both casual and formal contexts.

Quick Info Box

Phrasal verb: hunt somebody down
Type: transitive
Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
Short meaning: to search for and find someone after a long effort

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Hunt sb down” is a transitive and inseparable phrasal verb. This means the object (somebody) always comes after the entire phrasal verb “hunt down.”

Correct pattern: hunt + somebody + down

Example: The police hunted the suspect down.

Incorrect pattern: hunt down somebody (not separated)

How to Use “Hunt sb down”?

You use “hunt sb down” when talking about searching for someone with effort, often in contexts like finding a lost friend, tracking a criminal, or locating a person to deliver a message. It can be used in both literal and figurative ways. In casual speech, it adds a sense of determination or urgency to the search.

Examples

Imagine you lost contact with an old friend and finally found them after a long search. You could say:

It took me weeks, but I finally hunted her down on social media.
The detective hunted the criminal down after months of investigation.
He hunted me down to give me the good news personally.
They hunted the lost hiker down before nightfall.
The company hunted down the former employee to discuss a contract.

These examples show “hunt sb down in a sentence” naturally used in different situations.

Common Mistakes

People sometimes separate the phrasal verb incorrectly or use it with the wrong object placement. For example:

Incorrect: The police hunted down the suspect.
Correct: The police hunted the suspect down.

Remember, “hunt sb down” is inseparable. Also, avoid using it with inanimate objects as the object should be a person or an animal.

Differences / Synonyms

“Hunt sb down” is similar to “track down” and “search for,” but there are subtle differences. “Track down” also means to find someone after searching but focuses more on the process of following clues.

Hunt sb down: Emphasizes active, determined searching.
Track down: Emphasizes following leads or clues to find someone.
Search for: More general and can be used for people, objects, or information.

For example, “The detective hunted the thief down” suggests a more aggressive search than “The detective tracked the thief down.”

Common Collocations

The verb “hunt” often pairs with specific objects to create common phrases. Here are some collocations with “hunt sb down”:

Criminal: Searching for a person who has committed a crime.
Suspect: Someone under investigation.
Friend: Someone you know personally.
Enemy: A person who opposes or harms you.
Witness: Someone who saw an event or crime.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of hunt sb down:

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a simple conversation using “hunt sb down”:

Anna: Have you found Mark yet? I need to talk to him urgently.

John: Not yet. I’ve been hunting him down all day but no luck.

Anna: Keep trying. We can’t wait much longer.

Practice

Try to complete the sentences with the correct form of “hunt sb down”:

I finally ___________ my old college roommate after years.
The police are ___________ the thief who stole the car.
She ___________ me ___________ to give an important message.

Answers: hunted down / hunting down / hunted down

FAQs

What does “hunt sb down” mean? It means to search for someone persistently until you find them.
Is “hunt sb down” formal or informal? It is mostly informal but can be used in formal writing when appropriate.
Can I use “hunt down” with objects? Usually, it is used with people or animals, not objects.
Is “hunt sb down” separable? No, the object must come after the entire phrasal verb.
What are synonyms of “hunt sb down”? Track down, search for, find.