chase

/tʃeɪs/ (bre, ipa) · [tʃˈes] /tʃeɪs/ (ame, ipa) · [tʃˈes] /ˈchās/ (ame, mw)

chase — verb

  • chasepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • chaseshe / she / it
  • chasedpast simple
  • chasing-ing form

1. To run or move quickly behind a person, animal, or thing because you want to cat

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

To run or move quickly behind a person, animal, or thing because you want to catch them.

例句

Samir heard footsteps behind him and realized someone was chasing him down the dark street.

chase + noun phrase (person being pursued)

The cat chased a mouse across the kitchen floor and under the refrigerator.

chase + noun phrase (animal being pursued)

同義詞
  • pursue

    more formal and suggests a longer, more determined effort

  • follow

    simply means to go behind, without the urgency or intent to catch

  • run after

    more informal, focuses on the physical running

反義詞
  • flee

    to run away from someone who is chasing you

  • escape

    to succeed in getting away from someone who is chasing you

文法句型

chase + noun phrase (object being pursued)

chase after + noun phrase

用法筆記

Transitive: 'chase someone/something'. Often used with 'after' in intransitive patterns: 'chase after someone'.

常見錯誤

❌The cat chased after the mouse across the kitchen.' (redundant when direction is clear).
✅The cat chased the mouse across the kitchen.
💡Use 'chase after' only when the movement or goal needs emphasis.

2. To move around quickly in many directions, often in a busy or excited way.

2.動詞不及物B1
釋義

To move around quickly in many directions, often in a busy or excited way.

例句

Four-year-old Mira and her cousins were chasing around the garden, shrieking with laughter.

chase around + location

Rin chased from room to room gathering her textbooks, gym kit, and lunch before school.

chase from + location + to + location

同義詞
  • rush

    suggests hurrying with a purpose, while 'chase' in this sense can be playful or aimless

  • dash

    implies a single quick movement rather than repeated running around

文法句型

chase + (around / about / through / from) + noun phrase

用法筆記

This sense is almost always followed by a location phrase such as 'around', 'about', 'through', or 'from place to place'. It cannot stand alone without a direction word.

常見錯誤

❌The children were chasing.' (no direction — sounds like sense 1).
✅The children were chasing around the garden.
💡Always add a direction or location word.

3. To work hard or compete with others in order to get something you want, such as

3.動詞及物C2
釋義

To work hard or compete with others in order to get something you want, such as a job, prize, or opportunity.

例句

Thousands of graduates chase the same few jobs in the city every year.

chase + job / position (competitive pursuit)

After years of chasing her dream to become a doctor, Indra finally got into medical school.

同義詞
  • pursue

    more formal; suggests a longer-term, more serious effort

  • seek

    formal; implies searching for something rather than competing for it

  • strive for

    emphasises the effort more than the competitive aspect

反義詞
  • abandon

    to give up trying to get something

  • ignore

    to not try to get something that is available

文法句型

chase + noun phrase (goal/opportunity/dream)

用法筆記

Object is typically an abstract goal (a dream, a prize, success) or a scarce resource (a job, a contract). Frequently used in business and career contexts.

常見錯誤

❌I'm chasing a new phone.' (too trivial for this sense).
✅I'm chasing a promotion at work.
💡This sense is for goals that require serious effort.

4. To show persistent romantic interest in someone by trying hard to get their atte

4.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

To show persistent romantic interest in someone by trying hard to get their attention or affection.

例句

Dylan chased Iris for months before she finally agreed to go on a date with him.

chase + noun phrase (person being romantically pursued)

In the novel, the hero spends years chasing the woman he loves across Europe.

同義詞
  • woo

    old-fashioned; suggests a formal, gentle, and romantic approach

  • court

    old-fashioned; implies a serious intention of marriage or long-term relationship

文法句型

chase + noun phrase (person)

chase after + noun phrase (person)

用法筆記

Less common in modern usage because it can sound old-fashioned or overly aggressive. Often used in stories about the past or in light-hearted contexts.

常見錯誤

❌He chased her until she called the police.' (too aggressive — this sense suggests pursuit with romantic intent, not harassment).
✅He chased her for weeks before she agreed to coffee.
💡Use for playful or persistent romantic pursuit, not threats.

5. To follow someone or something in a threatening or aggressive way so that they l

5.動詞及物B2
釋義

To follow someone or something in a threatening or aggressive way so that they leave a place.

例句

Ignacio chased the stray dogs away from his vegetable garden with a loud shout.

chase + noun phrase + away from + location

The farmer chased the crows out of his cornfield by waving a bright flag.

chase + noun phrase + out of + location

同義詞
  • drive away

    suggests using force or aggressive action; less physical running needed

  • shoo

    informal; using hand gestures or sounds rather than running

反義詞
  • attract

    to make someone or something come towards you

  • welcome

    to greet someone who arrives and invite them to stay

文法句型

chase + noun phrase + away / off / out of / from + location

用法筆記

Nearly always used with a direction particle: 'away', 'off', 'out of', or 'from'. The particle is essential to show the result of the chasing.

常見錯誤

❌She chased the cat.' (ambiguous — could mean she wanted to catch it or shoo it away).
✅She chased the cat out of the kitchen.
💡Add a direction particle to show you are driving it away.

chase — noun