What Does โLust after sthโ Mean?
โLust after sthโ means to strongly desire or crave something, often with great passion or eagerness.
Introduction
The phrase โlust after sthโ is used to describe a powerful desire or intense longing for something. When someone lusts after something, they want it very much, sometimes in a way that shows strong emotion or even obsession. This phrase is common in both spoken and written English and can refer to physical objects, qualities, or experiences. Understanding the lust after sth meaning helps learners express strong wants clearly and effectively. It is often used in formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile phrase to add to your English vocabulary.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: lust after something
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2-C1
- Short meaning: to strongly desire or crave something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
โLust after sthโ is an inseparable phrasal verb, which means you cannot place the object between โlustโ and โafter.โ The object always comes after โafter.โ
Correct pattern: lust after + noun
Incorrect pattern: lust + noun + after
How to Use โLust after sthโ?
Use โlust after sthโ when you want to express a strong, intense desire for something. It can be used with physical things, like money or possessions, or with abstract ideas, such as power or success. This phrase is often used in both positive and negative contexts, depending on the speakerโs tone.
Examples
People sometimes lust after things that may not bring real happiness.
- Many young people lust after fame and fortune.
- He lusted after the latest smartphone for months before buying it.
- She lusted after power more than anything else in her career.
- They lust after luxury cars and expensive watches.
- Itโs easy to lust after material things, but true satisfaction comes from within.
These examples show โlust after sth in a sentenceโ used naturally to express strong desire.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners mix up the word order or use the phrase incorrectly.
- Incorrect: I lust the new phone after.
- Correct: I lust after the new phone.
- Incorrect: She lusts it after.
- Correct: She lusts after it.
Remember, โlust afterโ must always be followed directly by the object.
Differences / Synonyms
โLust after sthโ is similar to phrases like โlong forโ or โcrave,โ but it often suggests a stronger, more passionate desire.
- Long for: A gentle or emotional desire (e.g., She longed for peace).
- Crave: A strong desire, often related to food or comfort (e.g., He craves chocolate).
- Lust after: A powerful, sometimes intense or obsessive desire (e.g., They lust after success).
While โlust afterโ can carry a slightly negative or intense tone, โlong forโ is softer and more emotional.
Common Collocations
People often use โlust afterโ with these common objects:
- Power: Desire for control or influence.
- Money: Desire for wealth.
- Fame: Desire to be famous or well-known.
- Success: Desire to achieve goals.
- Luxury items: Desire for expensive possessions.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of lust after sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Hereโs a short conversation using โlust after sthโ:
Anna: I canโt stop thinking about that new car. I really lust after it.
Ben: Yeah, it looks amazing, but do you really need it?
Anna: Maybe not, but sometimes we all lust after things we donโt need.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of โlust afterโ:
- She _____________ fame ever since she was a child.
- Many people _____________ luxury goods, hoping they will bring happiness.
- He doesnโt just want money; he _____________ power.
- Do you ever _____________ something so much that you canโt stop thinking about it?
FAQs
- What does โlust after sthโ mean? It means to strongly desire or crave something.
- Is โlust afterโ positive or negative? It can be both, but often it suggests an intense or obsessive desire.
- Can I use โlust afterโ for people? It is usually used for things, qualities, or experiences, not people.
- Is โlust afterโ separable? No, the object always comes after โafter.โ
- What are synonyms for โlust afterโ? Crave, long for, desire intensely.
