/ tʃeɪs; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
RUN / DRIVE AFTER
1.
[ vn ] chase (after) sb/sth to run, drive, etc. after sb/sth in order to catch them :
[ vn ]
My dog likes chasing rabbits.
The kids chased each other around the kitchen table.
[ v ]
He chased after the burglar but couldn't catch him.
MONEY / WORK / SUCCESS
2.
[ vn ] to try to obtain or achieve sth, for example money, work or success :
Too many people are chasing too few jobs nowadays.
The team is chasing its first win in five games.
MAN / WOMAN
3.
chase (after) sb ( informal ) to try to persuade sb to have a sexual relationship with you :
[ v ]
Kevin's been chasing after Jan for months.
[ vn ]
Girls are always chasing him.
REMIND SB
4.
[ vn ] ( informal ) to persuade sb to do sth that they should have done already :
I need to chase him about organizing the meeting.
RUSH
5.
[ v + adv. / prep. ] ( informal ) to rush or hurry somewhere :
I've been chasing around town all morning looking for a present for Sharon.
METAL
6.
[ vn ] ( technical ) to cut patterns or designs on metal :
chased silver
•
IDIOMS
- chase your (own) tail
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- chase sb/sth away, off, out, etc.
- chase sb up
- chase sth up
■ noun
RUNNING / DRIVING AFTER
1.
[ C ] (often used with the ) an act of running or driving after sb/sth in order to catch them :
The thieves were caught by police after a short chase.
a high-speed car chase
We lost him in the narrow streets and had to give up the chase (= stop chasing him) .
to take up the chase (= start chasing sb)
FOR SUCCESS / MONEY / WORK
2.
[ sing. ] a process of trying hard to get sth :
Three teams are involved in the chase for the championship.
IN SPORT
3.
the chase [ sing. ] hunting animals as a sport
4.
[ C ] = steeplechase
—see also wild goose chase
•
IDIOMS
- cut to the chase
- give chase
••
WORD ORIGIN
verb senses 1 to 5 and noun Middle English : from Old French chacier (verb), chace (noun), based on Latin captare continue to take, from capere take.
verb sense 6 late Middle English : apparently from earlier enchase , from Old French enchasser .