Explanation at your level:
To chase means to run after someone. Imagine you are playing a game. You run to catch your friend. That is a chase! You can chase a ball, a cat, or a friend. It is a fun word to use when you are moving fast.
When you chase something, you follow it quickly. You might chase a dog that ran away. We also use it for things we want. If you want a job, you can chase that opportunity. It means you are trying very hard to get it.
In English, chase is used for both physical movement and abstract goals. You might chase a suspect down the street, or you might chase a dream of becoming a musician. It implies that the thing you are chasing is moving away from you or is hard to reach.
The verb chase carries a sense of urgency. In a professional context, we often 'chase up' payments or 'chase leads'. It suggests persistence. Note the difference between 'chase' (the act of pursuing) and 'hunt' (which implies a more aggressive or predatory intent).
Beyond the literal, chase is frequently used in idiomatic phrases to describe the human condition of striving. We 'chase shadows' or 'chase perfection'. It highlights the gap between the pursuer and the desired object, often suggesting that the pursuit itself is the defining action, regardless of whether the object is captured.
Etymologically, chase bridges the gap between the medieval hunt and the modern pursuit of status or truth. In literature, it can evoke a sense of futility or obsession. Whether it is Ahab chasing the white whale or a student chasing academic excellence, the word captures the relentless nature of human desire and the inevitable friction of the pursuit.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Follow something to catch it.
- Use it for goals and dreams.
- Common in business as 'chase up'.
- Always remember the object.
When you chase something, you are putting energy into following it. Think of a dog running after a ball; that is the most basic form of chasing. It implies movement, speed, and a specific goal.
However, chase isn't just about physical running. We often use it in business or life to describe pursuing abstract things. You might chase a promotion, chase a deadline, or even chase a feeling of excitement. It always suggests a sense of active effort.
The word chase comes from the Old French word chacier, which meant to hunt or drive away. It eventually traces back to the Vulgar Latin captiare, which is also the root of the word 'capture'.
Historically, it was deeply linked to the sport of hunting animals. Over time, the meaning broadened from strictly physical hunting to include any form of persistent pursuit. It’s fascinating how a word that started in the forest now describes how we pursue our modern career goals!
You can use chase in both casual and formal settings. In casual speech, you might say, 'I had to chase the bus,' while in business, you might hear, 'We are chasing a new lead.'
Common collocations include chase away (to make something leave), chase down (to find someone after a search), and chase after (to pursue someone romantically or professionally). It is a versatile verb that fits almost any context where pursuit is involved.
- Chase your tail: To spend a lot of time doing things that achieve nothing.
- Wild goose chase: A hopeless search for something that doesn't exist.
- Cut to the chase: To get to the main point without wasting time.
- Give chase: To start running after someone.
- Chase rainbows: To pursue unrealistic or impossible goals.
Chase is a regular verb. The past tense and past participle form is chased, and the present participle is chasing. It is a transitive verb, meaning it usually takes an object (e.g., 'He chased the cat').
Pronunciation is simple: /tʃeɪs/. It rhymes with 'face', 'race', and 'place'. The stress is always on the single syllable. When using it in a sentence, ensure you don't confuse it with 'chess', which has a short 'e' sound.
Fun Fact
It shares a root with the word 'catch'.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'ch' sound followed by a long 'a' and 's'.
Similar to UK, very crisp 's' at the end.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it like 'chess'
- Missing the long 'a' sound
- Softening the 'ch' sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
moderate
moderate
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Transitive Verbs
I chase it.
Phrasal Verbs
Chase away.
Past Tense
Chased.
Examples by Level
The dog will chase the ball.
dog / run after / ball
Simple future tense.
I chase my friend.
I / run after / friend
Present simple.
Do not chase the cat.
no / run after / cat
Imperative.
He likes to chase butterflies.
he / likes / run after / butterflies
Infinitive.
They chase each other.
they / run after / each other
Reciprocal.
She chased the bus.
she / ran after / bus
Past tense.
We are chasing the dog.
we / are running after / dog
Present continuous.
Can you chase him?
can / you / run after / him
Modal verb.
I had to chase the thief.
Don't chase after him.
The police chased the car.
She is chasing her dreams.
We chased away the birds.
He chased the opportunity.
They were chasing the sunset.
Why are you chasing me?
The company is chasing higher profits.
He spent years chasing a promotion.
I need to chase up that report.
She chased him down the hall.
Don't chase after people who don't care.
The team is chasing the championship title.
We chased the storm for hours.
Stop chasing rainbows and be realistic.
The journalist chased the story for weeks.
He is chasing an elusive goal.
She chased her ambition to the city.
We chased down every possible lead.
The candidate is chasing votes in the suburbs.
Don't let your past chase you.
He chased the record for years.
They are chasing a new market segment.
The narrative chases the theme of redemption.
He was chasing the ghost of his former self.
She chased a career in high finance.
The market is chasing growth at any cost.
He chased the truth until the very end.
They are chasing shadows in this investigation.
The film chases the essence of loneliness.
She chased excellence in all her endeavors.
His life was a relentless chase after meaning.
The metaphor chases the complexity of the human soul.
He chased the horizon, never satisfied.
They were chasing the sublime in their art.
The policy chases an unattainable ideal.
She spent her youth chasing intellectual vanity.
The story chases the intricacies of memory.
He chased the absolute in his philosophy.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"cut to the chase"
get to the point
Let's cut to the chase and discuss the budget.
casual"wild goose chase"
a hopeless search
Looking for the lost key was a wild goose chase.
neutral"chase your tail"
busy but unproductive
I've been chasing my tail all day.
casual"give chase"
start pursuing
The officers gave chase to the suspect.
formal"chase rainbows"
pursue impossible things
He is always chasing rainbows.
neutral"chase someone up"
remind someone to do something
I need to chase up the accounts team.
businessEasily Confused
both mean to follow
hunt is for killing/finding, chase is for following
He hunts deer; he chases the ball.
both involve movement
follow is neutral, chase is fast
Follow me; chase the thief.
both mean to pursue
track is about finding a path
Track the animal; chase the animal.
both involve speed
race is a competition
We raced to the finish; we chased the bus.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + chase + object
The cat chased the mouse.
Subject + chase + after + object
He chased after his dreams.
Subject + chase + away + object
She chased away the birds.
Subject + chase + down + object
I will chase down the truth.
Subject + give + chase
The police gave chase.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Chase is transitive and does not need 'to'.
The preposition 'after' is sufficient.
Direct object required.
Correct preposition usage.
Both work, but 'chase away' is a phrasal unit.
Tips
Memory Palace
Visualize a race.
Business
Use 'chase up' for tasks.
Movies
Listen for 'cut to the chase'.
Transitive
Always have an object.
Long A
Stretch the 'a'.
No preposition
Don't add 'to'.
Origins
Related to capture.
Context
Use with goals.
Practice
Write 3 sentences daily.
Idioms
Learn the top 5 idioms.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Chase the CHEESE: Imagine a mouse running after a piece of cheese.
Visual Association
A cat running after a laser pointer.
Word Web
Challenge
Use 'chase' in a sentence about your career.
Word Origin
Old French
Original meaning: to hunt
Cultural Context
None.
Used frequently in sports and business.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- chase up a lead
- chase a deadline
- chase a payment
at home
- chase the dog
- chase the kids
- chase away bugs
in sports
- chase the score
- chase the title
- chase the runner
in life
- chase a dream
- chase success
- chase happiness
Conversation Starters
"What is a dream you are chasing?"
"Do you like playing tag?"
"Have you ever chased a bus?"
"What does 'cut to the chase' mean to you?"
"Is chasing success worth it?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you chased a goal.
Write about a childhood game of chase.
What is something you are currently chasing?
Is it better to chase or to wait?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt is neutral.
Yes, but be careful of context.
No, it means the act of following to catch.
Chased.
Yes, metaphorically.
Yes, 'the chase' is a noun.
Very common.
Flee.
Test Yourself
The cat will ___ the mouse.
Chase is the action of following.
What does 'cut to the chase' mean?
It means to stop wasting time.
You can chase a dream.
It's a common metaphor.
Word
Meaning
Phrasal verbs.
Correct structure.
Score: /5
Summary
Chase is the active pursuit of a goal, whether it's a physical object or a dream.
- Follow something to catch it.
- Use it for goals and dreams.
- Common in business as 'chase up'.
- Always remember the object.
Memory Palace
Visualize a race.
Business
Use 'chase up' for tasks.
Movies
Listen for 'cut to the chase'.
Transitive
Always have an object.
