chase after: Idiom Meaning and Origin

The idiom "chase after" first appeared in the 17th century and has its roots in the Old French verb "chacier" and Latin verb "captiare," both meaning "to hunt" or "to capture."

In its figurative sense, "chase after" is used to describe the act of eagerly or persistently pursuing or seeking something. It conveys the idea of going after a goal or desire with enthusiasm and determination.

On a literal level, "chase after" refers to physically running after someone or something in order to catch or capture it.

Synonyms for "chase after" include "pursue," "follow," "hunt for," and "run after." These words can be used interchangeably to convey the same idea of actively going after something.

For example, one might say, "She spent years pursuing her dream of becoming a successful actress," or "He's always running after the latest technology trends."

Common variations of the idiom include "chase down," "chase up," and "chase around." These phrases add specific nuances to the idea of pursuit.

"Chase down" is used to describe the act of pursuing and capturing someone or something that is elusive or difficult to catch.

For instance, one might say, "The police officer chased down the thief but couldn't catch him."

"Chase up" is used to refer to the act of following up or pursuing something to ensure it is completed or resolved.

For example, one might say, "I need to chase up on that invoice to make sure it gets paid."

"Chase around" describes the constant pursuit or search for something or someone, often in a frantic or disorganized manner.

An example of this usage would be, "I've been chasing around for my lost keys all day."

Now, let's explore some related idioms that are linked to the concept of "chase after."

One related idiom is "chase one's tail," which is used to describe a futile or pointless pursuit. It originates from the imagery of a dog chasing its own tail in a never-ending cycle.

For example, one might say, "I feel like I'm chasing my tail with this project, I can't seem to make any progress."

Another related idiom is "chase off," which means to forcefully drive someone or something away. It implies a sense of actively pushing someone or something out of a particular space.

For instance, one might say, "The farmer had to chase off the birds that were eating his crops."

The final related idiom is "chase tail," which is an informal expression used to describe the act of pursuing or seeking romantic or sexual relationships.

For example, one might say, "He's always chasing tail, he can't seem to settle down with one person."

The idiom "chase after" originated from the verb "chase," which means "to hunt" or "to capture." It has evolved to encompass both a literal meaning of physically running after someone or something and a figurative meaning of eagerly or persistently pursuing or seeking something. Common synonyms for "chase after" include "pursue," "follow," "hunt for," and "run after." Variations such as "chase down," "chase up," and "chase around" add specific nuances to the concept of pursuit. Related idioms such as "chase one's tail," "chase off," and "chase tail" offer further insights into different aspects of pursuit and its implications. The idiom "chase after" is just one example of the vibrant and diverse landscape of idiomatic expressions that enrich the English language.