chase

chase — verb

1. to move quickly behind a fleeing person or creature, trying to overtake and capt

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to move quickly behind a fleeing person or creature, trying to overtake and capture them

例句

The police officer chased the thief through the busy market square.

chase + noun + through [place] for pursuit

Kofi's dog chased a squirrel across the park and into the woods.

同義詞
  • pursue

    more formal, often used in legal or military contexts

  • follow

    gentler — you can follow without trying to catch

  • run after

    phrasal verb, less formal than chase

反義詞
  • flee

    to run away from someone

  • escape

    to get away from someone chasing you

文法句型

chase + noun

chase after + noun

chase + noun + adverb/preposition

用法筆記

This is the core, most frequent sense. Object is typically a moving entity (person, animal, vehicle). The preposition indicates the path or direction of the pursuit.

常見錯誤

❌The police chased after the thief.
✅The police chased the thief.
💡'chase after' is also correct but less common in American English; 'chase' alone already includes the idea of pursuit.
❌I chased to catch the bus.
✅I chased the bus.
💡'chase' is transitive; you chase a thing directly, not 'chase to catch' a thing.

2. to run or rush from one place to another, often in a hurried or excited way with

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to run or rush from one place to another, often in a hurried or excited way without a clear purpose

例句

Theo chased around the house looking for his lost wallet before work.

chase around + [place] for hurried search

Tourists were chasing from one art gallery to the next all afternoon.

同義詞
  • rush

    similar speed but less directional variety

  • hurry

    focuses on speed toward a goal, not random movement

  • dash

    suggests even greater speed and urgency

文法句型

chase + adverb/preposition

chase about/around/round

用法筆記

This sense is always intransitive and requires an adverb or preposition (about, around, after, from...to). Without the following phrase, the meaning is unclear.

3. to put a great deal of effort into getting a desirable thing that is not easily

3.動詞及物C2
釋義

to put a great deal of effort into getting a desirable thing that is not easily obtained — a job, a deal, a record, fame, or success, for example

例句

After graduating, Mei chased her dream of becoming a commercial pilot.

chase + dream / ambition for abstract goals

The software company is chasing a major deal with a hospital in Tokyo.

同義詞
  • pursue

    more formal; suggests a longer-term commitment

  • strive for

    emphasises effort and determination

  • go after

    phrasal verb; less formal, very common in speech

反義詞
  • give up

    to stop trying to achieve something

  • abandon

    to leave a goal or plan completely

文法句型

chase + noun (abstract goal)

chase after + noun (abstract goal)

用法筆記

Object is always an abstract noun — a goal, achievement, or opportunity. Not used with physical objects. Frequently used in career and business contexts.

常見錯誤

❌She chased a better salary.
✅She chased a pay rise.
💡While 'chase a salary' is borderline, the object should be an achievable goal or opportunity, not a thing you receive.

4. to show persistent romantic interest in someone, hoping they will eventually bec

4.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to show persistent romantic interest in someone, hoping they will eventually become your boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner

例句

Tomás chases Leila for months before she finally agreed to a date.

chase + person for romantic pursuit

In the film, a prince chases a princess across several kingdoms.

同義詞
  • woo

    more old-fashioned and romantic

  • court

    very formal; suggests a serious intention to marry

  • pursue

    more formal and less common in this context

文法句型

chase + person

chase after + person

用法筆記

Mostly used in informal contexts — stories, gossip, songs, films. Can sound old-fashioned or playful depending on context. 'Chase after' is more common in British English.

常見錯誤

❌I am chasing my girlfriend.
✅I asked my girlfriend out.
💡If you are already in a relationship, 'chase' sounds strange; it refers to the period before the relationship begins.

5. to threaten someone or an animal by running at them so that they flee the area

5.動詞及物B2
釋義

to threaten someone or an animal by running at them so that they flee the area

例句

The farmer chased the goats out of his vegetable garden with a stick.

chase + noun + out of [place] for removal

A stray dog chased the mail carrier down the street this morning.

同義詞
  • drive away

    suggests less running; more about scaring off

  • scare off

    focuses on the fear, not the running

  • shoo away

    gentler; used for animals or small children

反義詞
  • welcome

    to invite someone in instead of driving them away

  • attract

    to draw someone toward you

文法句型

chase + noun + away/off/out of

chase + noun + adverb

用法筆記

Always includes a direction adverb (away, off, out of, down) that tells where the target is driven. Without this adverb the meaning shifts to sense 1 (pursuit to catch).

常見錯誤

❌He chased the cat.' (intending to drive it away)
✅He chased the cat out of the kitchen.
💡Without an adverb like 'out' or 'away', this sentence means he was trying to catch the cat.

chase — noun