Chase After Meaning: How to Use This Phrase Correctly
Have you ever heard someone say, “He is chasing after his dreams” or “The dog chased after the cat” and wondered what “chase after” really means?
If you’re learning English, this phrase can be a little confusing because it can describe both a physical action and a figurative idea. You might literally chase after someone who is running away, or you might chase after something you want, such as success, money, or a dream.
In this guide, I’ll explain the chase after meaning, show you how to use it naturally, and give you plenty of examples so you can confidently use this phrase in your own English.
Let’s get started!
What Does “Chase After” Mean?
“Chase after” is a verb phrase that generally means to pursue someone or something in an attempt to catch, reach, or obtain them.
It has two major uses.
1. Literal meaning
It can mean to physically run or move after someone or something because you want to catch them.
The dog chased after the cat.
The dog physically followed the cat in an attempt to catch it.
2. Figurative meaning
It can also describe trying hard to achieve, obtain, or pursue something that you want.
She is chasing after her dream of becoming a writer.
She isn’t literally running after her dream. Instead, she is working hard to achieve it.
So, the simplest chase after meaning is:
To pursue someone or something, either literally or figuratively.
Chase After: Definition and Key Information
| Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Chase after | To pursue someone or something | The boy chased after the ball. |
| Chase after a goal | To work hard to achieve something | She is chasing after her career goals. |
| Chase after someone | To pursue a person | He chased after the thief. |
| Chase after success | To try hard to become successful | Many people chase after success. |
The exact meaning depends on the object that follows the phrase.
How to Use “Chase After” in a Sentence
The basic sentence structure is:
Subject + chase after + person/thing
For example:
The children chased after the ice cream truck.
The police officer chased after the suspect.
She is chasing after her dreams.
They are chasing after new opportunities.
You can change the tense of chase depending on when the action happens.
Present simple
The dog chases after the ball.
Past simple
The dog chased after the ball.
Present continuous
The dog is chasing after the ball.
Past continuous
The dog was chasing after the ball.
Future
The dog will chase after the ball.
The word “after” stays the same; the verb “chase” changes according to the tense.
1. Literal Use of “Chase After”
The first and most straightforward use is physical pursuit.
Imagine a child running after a ball, a dog running after a cat, or someone running to catch a person.
In these situations, “chase after” means to move quickly behind someone or something in an attempt to catch them. This literal use is also reflected in standard dictionary examples of “chase.”
Examples:
The dog chased after the rabbit.
The children chased after the ball.
I had to chase after my son when he ran toward the road.
The police chased after the suspect.
She chased after the bus but couldn’t catch it.
In each sentence, the person or animal is physically pursuing something.
A useful way to remember it:
Chase after + moving person, animal, or object = try to catch it.
2. Figurative Use of “Chase After”
Now we get to the more interesting use.
English speakers often use “chase after” figuratively when talking about things that cannot literally be chased.
For example:
He is chasing after success.
You cannot physically run after “success.” Instead, the sentence means that he is actively trying to become successful.
You can chase after:
- Dreams
- Success
- Money
- Fame
- Opportunities
- Happiness
- Goals
- Recognition
- Wealth
Examples:
She is chasing after her dream of becoming a doctor.
Many people spend their lives chasing after money.
He’s always chasing after success.
I’m chasing after new opportunities for my business.
They are chasing after a better life.
This figurative use emphasizes effort, desire, and pursuit.
“Chase After” Someone
Another common use is when someone is pursuing another person.
This can have either a literal or romantic meaning, depending on the context.
Literal:
The police chased after the thief.
Here, the police are physically trying to catch the thief.
Romantic:
He has been chasing after her for months.
Here, “chasing after her” means he has been trying to gain her romantic interest or affection.
This romantic use can sometimes sound playful, informal, or slightly negative depending on the situation. If someone’s attention is unwanted or excessive, “chasing after someone” can suggest that the person is pursuing them too persistently.
Chase After vs. Chase
You may wonder whether “chase” and “chase after” mean exactly the same thing.
They can be very similar.
For example:
The dog chased the cat.
and:
The dog chased after the cat.
Both mean that the dog pursued the cat.
However, “chase after” can place a little more emphasis on the act of following or pursuing something.
Both structures are natural:
Chase + object
She chased the thief.
Chase after + object
She chased after the thief.
You don’t always need “after” when using the verb “chase.”
Chase After vs. Go After
These phrases can overlap, but they are not always identical.
Chase after often emphasizes pursuit or sustained effort.
He is chasing after fame.
Go after often sounds more direct and determined.
He is going after the promotion.
“Go after” can also mean trying to obtain something or confronting someone.
Compare:
She is chasing after her dreams.
This emphasizes the ongoing pursuit of her dreams.
She is going after her dreams.
This sounds more direct and determined.
Both can be correct depending on the context.
Chase After vs. Pursue
“Pursue” is a more formal alternative to “chase after.”
For example:
She is chasing after her career goals.
More formally:
She is pursuing her career goals.
Or:
The police chased after the suspect.
More formally:
The police pursued the suspect.
General difference:
| Phrase | Style |
|---|---|
| Chase after | Conversational and vivid |
| Go after | Casual and direct |
| Pursue | More formal and professional |
| Run after | Usually physical |
If you’re writing an academic essay, “pursue” may sometimes sound more appropriate than “chase after.”
Does “Chase After” Always Have a Positive Meaning?
Not necessarily.
The phrase can be positive, neutral, or negative depending on the context.
Positive:
She is chasing after her dream of becoming an artist.
This suggests ambition and determination.
Neutral:
The children chased after the ball.
There is no strong positive or negative feeling.
Negative:
He spends all his time chasing after money.
Here, the speaker may be criticizing his excessive focus on money.
So, when you see “chase after”, always look at the surrounding words to understand the speaker’s attitude.
Common Expressions With “Chase After”
Here are some useful combinations:
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Chase after a dream | Try hard to achieve a dream |
| Chase after success | Try to become successful |
| Chase after money | Try hard to obtain money |
| Chase after fame | Try to become famous |
| Chase after opportunities | Actively seek opportunities |
| Chase after happiness | Try hard to find happiness |
| Chase after someone | Pursue a person |
| Chase after a goal | Work toward achieving a goal |
Examples:
Don’t be afraid to chase after your dreams.
He is constantly chasing after money.
She’s chasing after new career opportunities.
Why are you chasing after someone who doesn’t appreciate you?
Grammar: Is “Chase After” a Phrasal Verb?
“Chase after” is commonly treated as a verb phrase/phrasal verb.
It is generally followed by the person, thing, or goal being pursued.
Structure:
Subject + chase after + object
Examples:
I chase after opportunities.
She chases after success.
They chased after the thief.
With the continuous form:
Subject + be + chasing after + object
She is chasing after her dream.
They are chasing after the bus.
The verb changes according to tense, but “after” remains unchanged.
Common Mistakes With “Chase After”
Let’s look at some mistakes English learners should avoid.
Mistake 1: Using “Chase for”
Incorrect:
She is chasing for success.
More natural:
She is chasing after success.
Or:
She is pursuing success.
“Chase for” is not the standard construction when you mean “pursue.”
Mistake 2: Saying “Pursue After”
Because “pursue” already means “follow or try to achieve,” we normally don’t add “after” to it.
Incorrect:
She is pursuing after her dream.
Correct:
She is pursuing her dream.
Or:
She is chasing after her dream.
This is a useful distinction to remember.
Mistake 3: Using “Chase After” When “Look For” Is Better
Not every situation involving searching requires “chase after.”
For example:
I’m looking for my keys.
This is natural.
You normally wouldn’t say:
I’m chasing after my keys.
unless you mean you’re physically pursuing them—for example, if the keys have fallen from a moving vehicle.
Choose the expression according to the action you’re describing.
Practice Time!
Let’s test your understanding of the chase after meaning.
1. Which sentence uses “chase after” literally?
a) She is chasing after success.
b) The dog chased after the rabbit.
c) He is chasing after his dreams.
Answer: b) The dog chased after the rabbit.
2. Which sentence uses “chase after” figuratively?
a) The children chased after the ball.
b) The cat chased after the mouse.
c) She is chasing after her dream of becoming a writer.
Answer: c) She is chasing after her dream of becoming a writer.
3. Choose the correct phrase:
He is ________ his career goals.
a) chasing for
b) chasing after
c) pursuing after
Answer: b) chasing after
4. Which sentence is correct?
a) She is pursuing after success.
b) She is chasing for success.
c) She is chasing after success.
Answer: c) She is chasing after success.
Quick Guide to “Chase After”
If you want a quick reminder, keep these patterns in mind:
Physical pursuit
The dog chased after the cat.
Meaning: The dog tried to catch the cat.
Goal or ambition
She chased after her dream.
Meaning: She worked hard to achieve her dream.
Person
He chased after her.
Meaning: He pursued her, literally or romantically depending on context.
Opportunity
They are chasing after new opportunities.
Meaning: They are actively trying to find or obtain opportunities.
Final Thoughts
So, what is the chase after meaning?
In simple terms, “chase after” means to pursue someone or something in an attempt to catch, reach, or obtain it.
Its most common uses fall into two categories.
First, there’s the literal meaning:
The dog chased after the rabbit.
Here, the dog is physically trying to catch the rabbit.
Then there’s the figurative meaning:
She is chasing after her dreams.
Here, she is working hard to achieve something she wants.
The phrase can also describe romantic pursuit:
He has been chasing after her for months.
Remember that the meaning and tone depend heavily on context.
If you’re talking about a formal goal, “pursue” may be a better choice. If you’re describing energetic or determined pursuit in everyday English, “chase after” can make the sentence more vivid.
Wrap-Up
Learning a phrase like “chase after” is much easier when you don’t memorize only one definition. Instead, pay attention to the object that comes after the phrase.
You can chase after a rabbit, chase after a bus, chase after a dream, chase after success, or even chase after someone you love.
Once you understand that the central idea is pursuit, the different uses become much easier to understand.
So the next time you hear someone say, “I’m chasing after my dream,” you’ll know that they aren’t literally running after it. They’re actively working toward achieving it.
Keep practicing the phrase in different contexts, and you’ll soon be able to use “chase after” naturally and confidently in both conversation and writing.