chase
gb/t͡ʃˈeɪs/ us/t͡ʃˈeɪs/
A2
English
~ 5800
üldöz, kerget, törekszik, hajszol, elkerget, elzavar, sürget, utánajár, üldözés, hajsza, hódítás, leöblít, lekísér, horony, falhorony
VERB
A2
1
Usage pattern:
to chase [someone/something]
The dog chased the ball across the field.
A kutya a mezőn át kergette a labdát.
Police chased the suspect through the streets for half an hour.
A rendőrség fél órán át üldözte a gyanúsítottat az utcákon.
The children were laughing as they chased each other around the park.
A helicopter was used to chase the stolen car along the highway.
If you run, the goose will chase you and try to bite.
Learner examples
The cat chased the mouse.
A macska kergette az egeret.
Police chased the man, but he got away.
A rendőrök üldözték a férfit, de elmenekült.
My little brother likes to chase me in the garden.
The football players chased the ball.
The dog chased the boy down the road.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "follow" instead of "chase". "Follow" means to go after someone, but not always quickly and not always to catch them. Use "chase" when there is speed and a clear goal to catch or stop someone or something.
Meaning
run after to catch
Collocations
chase a ball
|chase a thief
|police chase
|chase each other
|chase after [someone]
|car chase
Synonyms
pursue (More formal and can also mean to work toward a plan or goal, not only run after physically.)
Antonyms
flee (Describes running away from someone or something instead of running after them.)
Themes
movement
|crime
|sports
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To run or go quickly after a person, animal, or thing because you want to catch or reach them.
To run or move quickly after someone or something in order to catch, stop, or reach them.
VERB
B2
2
Usage pattern:
to chase [a goal/result/dream]
She moved to the city to chase her dream of becoming an actor.
Azért költözött a városba, hogy kövesse az álmát, és színész legyen.
He has spent his whole life chasing success and recognition.
Egész életében a sikert és az elismerést hajszolta.
Instead of chasing perfection, try to focus on steady progress.
Many graduates chase high salaries and fast promotions in their first jobs.
They are chasing a top-three finish in the league this season.
Learner examples
He went to New York to chase his dream.
Azért ment New Yorkba, hogy kövesse az álmát.
She is chasing a better job in another country.
Egy másik országban igyekszik jobb állást szerezni.
They are chasing first place in the competition.
I don’t want to chase money all my life.
Stop chasing perfection and just start the work.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say "run after my dream" instead of "chase my dream". While understandable, "chase my dream" or "pursue my dream" is the natural phrase in modern English.
Meaning
try hard to get something
Collocations
chase a dream
|chase a goal
|chase success
|chase fame
|chase money
|chase perfection
Synonyms
pursue (Slightly more formal; often used in writing about careers, research, or ambitions.)
Antonyms
give up (Means to stop trying to get something, the opposite of continuing to chase it.)
Themes
work
|ambition
|education
|emotions
Definition
To work very hard for some time to get something you want, like a dream, job, or success.
To put a lot of effort into getting or achieving something such as a goal, result, or benefit.
VERB
B1
3
Usage pattern:
to chase [someone/something] away/out/off
She chased the dogs out of the garden.
Elkergette a kutyákat a kertből.
The farmer clapped his hands to chase the birds away from the crops.
A gazda tapsolt, hogy elzavarja a madarakat a terméstől.
Security quickly chased the protesters off the stage.
He lit a fire to chase the mosquitoes away.
The loud noise chased the customers out of the store.
Learner examples
He chased the cat out of the kitchen.
Kikergette a macskát a konyhából.
They chased the boys away from the car.
Elkergették a fiúkat az autótól.
We chased the flies out of the room.
The guard chased the man off the property.
She shouted to chase the dog away.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes only say "throw out" or "send away" in these situations. Use "chase away / chase out" when the person or animal leaves because someone is actively running or moving after them or strongly pushing them to go.
Meaning
force someone or something to leave
Collocations
chase away
|chase off
|chase out of [a place]
|chase from [a place]
|chase the birds away
Synonyms
drive away (Often used more generally for forcing someone away, not always by physically running after them.)
Antonyms
welcome (Means to happily receive or invite someone in, instead of forcing them to leave.)
Themes
daily life
|home
|animals
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make someone or something go away from a place by going after them.
To make a person or animal leave a place by running or moving after them in a threatening or insistent way.
VERB
B2
4
Usage pattern:
to chase [someone/something] for [a reply/payment]
Could you chase the supplier for an updated delivery date?
Meg tudnád sürgetni a beszállítót, hogy adjon frissített szállítási dátumot?
I’ve emailed her twice to chase the report, but she still hasn’t replied.
Kétszer is írtam neki, hogy megsürgessem nála a jelentést, de még mindig nem válaszolt.
The accounts team is chasing several late payments this week.
I’ll chase the landlord about the broken heating this afternoon.
We need to chase that request before the deadline passes.
Learner examples
I will chase my boss for an answer.
Sürgetni fogom a főnökömet, hogy adjon választ.
The company is chasing customers who did not pay.
A cég fizetésre sürgeti azokat az ügyfeleket, akik nem fizettek.
Can you chase the hotel about our booking?
He called again to chase the missing documents.
Please chase the client for feedback.
Common mistake:
Learners often only use "remind" or "ask again" in business emails. In many workplaces, especially in British English, people commonly say "chase" or "chase up" an invoice, order, or reply.
Meaning
follow up to get a response
Collocations
chase an invoice
|chase payment
|chase a client
|chase someone for a reply
|chase up an order
Synonyms
follow up (Very close in meaning; slightly more neutral and common in formal emails.)
Antonyms
drop (As in "drop the matter"; to stop asking or following up, which is the opposite of chasing it.)
Themes
business
|work
|communication
Definition
To call, email, or ask someone again because you still do not have their answer, money, or work.
To contact someone again, or keep reminding them, in order to obtain a late payment, reply, or action.
NOUN
B1
5
Usage pattern:
a/the chase for [someone/something]
After a brief chase, the police arrested the driver.
Rövid üldözés után a rendőrök letartóztatták a sofőrt.
The film opens with a long car chase through the city.
A film egy hosszú, városon át tartó autós üldözéssel kezdődik.
Several officers joined the chase as it moved into the park.
The thief managed to get away after a rooftop chase.
A helicopter followed the suspect during the high-speed chase.
Learner examples
The police caught him after a short chase.
A rendőrök rövid üldözés után elkapták.
There is an exciting car chase in this movie.
Van egy izgalmas autós üldözés ebben a filmben.
The chase ended in front of the station.
Many people watched the chase on the news.
The dog gave up the chase after a few minutes.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say "a running" or "a following" instead of "a chase" when talking about this kind of scene in films or news. "Chase" is the natural noun for this situation.
Meaning
act of chasing
Collocations
car chase
|high-speed chase
|police chase
|foot chase
|join the chase
|give chase
Synonyms
pursuit (More formal and often used in news reporting or written descriptions.)
Antonyms
escape (Focuses on getting away instead of being run after.)
Themes
movement
|crime
|entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The time when someone runs or moves fast after a person, animal, or thing to catch them.
An act or period of running or moving quickly after someone or something in order to catch or stop them.
NOUN
B2
6
Usage pattern:
the chase for [something/someone]
For him, the thrill of the chase is more exciting than actually being in a relationship.
Számára a hódítás izgalma vonzóbb, mint az, hogy ténylegesen kapcsolatban legyen.
The global chase for talent is becoming more intense.
A tehetségekért folyó globális hajsza egyre élesebbé válik.
Some politicians seem to enjoy the chase for power more than the responsibility that comes with it.
She grew tired of the constant chase for online attention.
He finally decided to stop the chase and focus on what he already had.
Learner examples
He likes the thrill of the chase in dating.
Randizáskor szereti a hódítás izgalmát.
The chase for a better job never stops for her.
Számára soha nem ér véget a jobb állás utáni hajsza.
Many companies are in a chase for new customers.
Sometimes the chase is more fun than the result.
The chase for power can change people.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes take "the thrill of the chase" literally, imagining physical running. In modern English this phrase usually refers to the excitement of trying to get something or someone, not to a physical hunt.
Meaning
process of trying to get something
Collocations
the chase
|thrill of the chase
|enjoy the chase
|the romantic chase
|the chase for power
Synonyms
pursuit (Very close in meaning; slightly more formal and used in many non-romantic contexts.)
Antonyms
achievement (Describes the successful result after the process of the chase has ended.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|work
Definition
The time and actions when you try to win something or someone, for example a prize, a job, or a partner.
The activity or process of trying to get something or someone, especially in a romantic or competitive situation.
VERB
C1
INFORMAL
7
Usage pattern:
to chase [a drink] with [another drink]
He tossed back a shot of vodka and chased it with orange juice.
Lehúzott egy feles vodkát, és narancslével öblítette le.
She doesn’t like tequila unless she can chase it with a slice of lime and some soda.
Nem szereti a tequilát, csak akkor issza meg, ha egy szelet lime-mal és egy kis szódával kísérheti le.
They drank cheap whiskey and chased it with cold beer.
I usually chase strong liquor with water so it doesn’t burn so much.
He ordered a shot of rum and chased it with cola.
Learner examples
He drank a shot and chased it with beer.
Ivott egy felest, és sörrel öblítette le.
She chased the whiskey with water.
Vízzel öblítette le a whiskyt.
I do not like strong drinks, so I chase them with juice.
They chased the tequila with lemon and salt.
He chased his drink with a big glass of soda.
Common mistake:
Learners may misunderstand and think "chase a drink" means to run after a drink. In bars, it means to drink something else right after the first drink, usually to change the taste or feeling.
Meaning
drink something after another drink
Collocations
chase a shot with beer
|chase it with water
|chase the whiskey with soda
|chase it with juice
Synonyms
follow (In this context, "follow" is more general and does not clearly show that the second drink is immediate or meant to change the taste.)
Antonyms
sip slowly (Describes drinking the original drink slowly, without quickly taking another drink afterward.)
Themes
food_and_drink
|social life
|food_drink
|daily_life
Definition
To quickly drink water, juice, beer, etc. right after a strong drink like whiskey, to change the taste.
To drink something, often non-alcoholic or milder, immediately after a stronger alcoholic drink, to change or soften the taste.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
8
Usage pattern:
a chase for [cables/pipes]
The electrician cut a chase in the wall to run the new cables.
A villanyszerelő hornyot vágott a falba az új kábeleknek.
Pipes are hidden in a vertical chase behind the bathroom tiles.
A csövek a fürdőszobai csempék mögött, egy függőleges falhoronyban vannak elrejtve.
The plans show a narrow chase for wiring along the ceiling.
A shallow chase had been made in the stone to hold the metal strip.
The engineer requested a wider chase to fit the additional conduits.
Learner examples
The worker made a chase in the wall for the wires.
A munkás hornyot vésett a falba a vezetékeknek.
Pipes run in a chase behind the bathroom wall.
A csövek a fürdőszoba fala mögött egy horonyban futnak.
They cut a small chase to hide the cable.
There is a long chase in the floor for the pipes.
An electrician can put the wire in a chase.
Meaning
narrow groove in a surface
Collocations
cable chase
|pipe chase
|cut a chase
|wall chase
Synonyms
channel (A more general term for any long hollow space; not limited to cut grooves in building or metalwork.)
Antonyms
ridge (Describes a raised line on a surface, the opposite of a cut-in groove.)
Themes
construction
|crafts
|housing
|technology
Definition
A long, thin cut or line made in metal, stone, or a wall, sometimes to hide wires or pipes.
A narrow groove or channel cut into a surface such as metal, stone, or plaster, often for decoration or to carry cables or pipes.
Grammar
Dictionary form
chase
IPA
GB/t͡ʃˈeɪs/
US/t͡ʃˈeɪs/
Syllables & stress
chase (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (chase)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: chase
- Plural: chase, chases
Verb
- Base: chase
- 3rd Person Singular: chases
- Present Participle: chasing
- Past: chased
Word family
Forms
chases
noun
chasing
verb
chased
verb
Related words
chaser
noun
Expressions
a wild-goose chase
1/ə wˈaɪld ɡˈus t͡ʃˈeɪs/
idiom
useless or hopeless search
A search or effort that is almost sure to fail and wastes a lot of time.
Examples
- Looking for that file in this mess will be a wild-goose chase.
- They sent us on a wild-goose chase to three different offices.
- I felt the whole interview process had been a wild-goose chase.
chase after
1/t͡ʃˈeɪs ˈæftɚ/
phrasal verb
run or go after to get
To run or go quickly after a person or thing because you want to catch them, talk to them, or get them.
Examples
- The dog was happily chasing after the children.
- He spent years chasing after promotions instead of enjoying his life.
- Stop chasing after people who don’t respect you.
chase around
1/t͡ʃˈeɪs ɚˈaʊnd/
phrasal verb
informal
rush about trying to do things
To go to many places or talk to many people in a busy way, usually to solve a problem or find something.
Examples
- I’ve been chasing around all morning trying to get the documents signed.
- Parents spend most of the day chasing around after their kids.
- We had to chase around town to find the right parts.
chase away
1/t͡ʃˈeɪs əwˈeɪ/
phrasal verb
force someone or something to go away
To make a person or animal leave a place, often by shouting, moving toward them, or running after them.
Examples
- She lit a fire to chase away the insects.
- The farmer chased away the dogs that were worrying his sheep.
- Loud music can chase away nervous customers.
chase down
1/t͡ʃˈeɪs dˈaʊn/
phrasal verb
find after searching hard
To find a person, thing, or piece of information after looking for it for some time.
Examples
- It took me days to chase down the original report.
- Detectives finally chased down the key witness.
- We managed to chase down a spare part for the old machine.
chase off
1/t͡ʃˈeɪs ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
drive someone or something away
To make someone or something leave a place, usually because you do not want them there.
Examples
- Security guards chased off a group of teenagers outside the store.
- They used loud noises to chase off the wild animals.
- The owner chased off anyone who tried to take photos inside.
chase up
1/t͡ʃˈeɪs ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
follow up with someone
To contact a person or organization again because you still do not have what you need from them.
Examples
- I’ll chase up the delivery company and see where the package is.
- Could you chase up our order with the supplier?
- She promised to chase up the visa application today.
cut to the chase
1/kˈʌt tə ðə t͡ʃˈeɪs/
idiom
get to the main point quickly
To stop talking about unimportant details and start talking about the most important thing.
Examples
- Let’s cut to the chase—are you accepting the offer or not?
- I don’t have much time, so I’ll cut to the chase.
- The manager cut to the chase and explained why the project was late.
give chase
1/ɡˈɪv t͡ʃˈeɪs/
fixed phrase
start chasing someone or something
To begin running or moving quickly after someone or something in order to catch them.
Examples
- The police gave chase as soon as the car sped away.
- Several players gave chase, but the striker was too fast.
- When the rabbit ran, the dog immediately gave chase.
lead someone a merry chase
1/lˈid sˈʌmwˌʌn ə mˈɛɹi t͡ʃˈeɪs/
idiom
literary
make pursuit long and difficult
To make someone spend a lot of time and effort chasing or trying to find you, often by moving around or changing plans many times.
Examples
- The thief led the police a merry chase through back streets and alleys.
- The missing paperwork led the team a merry chase for days.
- The cat led us a merry chase before we finally caught it.
the thrill of the chase
1/ðə θɹˈɪl əv ðə t͡ʃˈeɪs/
idiom
excitement of trying to get something
The great excitement you feel while you are trying to get something, not just when you finally get it.
Examples
- For her, it isn’t about the prize; it’s the thrill of the chase.
- Some people date mainly for the thrill of the chase.
- Detectives often say they love the thrill of the chase more than the moment of arrest.
the thrill of the chase
2/ðə θɹˈɪl əv ðə t͡ʃˈeɪs/
idiom
excitement of trying to get something
The strong feeling of excitement you have while you are trying hard to get something or someone you want.
Examples
- For some people, it’s the thrill of the chase that makes dating fun.
- He enjoys the thrill of the chase more than actually closing the deal.
- The thrill of the chase kept the hunters going all night.