Phrase guide

go after

verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To pursue in attempt to catch another.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The downed officer couldn't go after the criminal.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To pursue an object or a goal.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • In Little League, usually everyone goes after the ball.
  • Inspired, the scientist went right after the new idea.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

go in search of or hunt for

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • pursue a hobby

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: quest for, quest after, pursue

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: search, seek, look for

4

verb

Meaning 4

go after with the intent to catch

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The policeman chased the mugger down the alley
  • the dog chased the rabbit

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: chase, chase after, trail, tail, tag, give chase, dog, track

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: pursue, follow

Narrower terms: tree, quest, hound, hunt, trace, run down

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

24 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: ajaa takaa — to pursue in attempt to catch
  • Hindi: पीछे जाना (pīche jānā) — to pursue in attempt to catch
  • Hindi: पीछे पड़ना (pīche paṛnā) — to pursue in attempt to catch
  • Hindi: पीछे पड़ जाना (pīche paṛ jānā) — to pursue in attempt to catch
  • Italian: dare la caccia — to pursue in attempt to catch
  • Norwegian Bokmål: forfølge — to pursue in attempt to catch
  • Norwegian Bokmål: gå etter — to pursue in attempt to catch
  • Persian: دنبال کردن (donbâl kardan) — to pursue in attempt to catch
  • Persian: تعقیب کردن (ta'qib kardan) — to pursue in attempt to catch
  • Russian: преследовать (presledovatʹ) — to pursue in attempt to catch
  • Russian: ловить (lovitʹ) — to pursue in attempt to catch
  • Swedish: jaga — to pursue in attempt to catch
  • Swedish: följa efter — to pursue in attempt to catch
  • Turkish: kovalamak — to pursue in attempt to catch
  • Ottoman Turkish: قوغمق (koğmak, kovmak) — to pursue in attempt to catch
  • Ottoman Turkish: تعقیب ایتمك (taʼkib etmek) — to pursue in attempt to catch
  • Finnish: tavoitella — to pursue an object or goal
  • Finnish: seurata — to pursue an object or goal
  • Hindi: पीछे जाना (pīche jānā) — to pursue an object or goal
  • Hindi: पीछे पड़ना (pīche paṛnā) — to pursue an object or goal
  • Hindi: पीछे पड़ जाना (pīche paṛ jānā) — to pursue an object or goal
  • Italian: dare la caccia — to pursue an object or goal
  • Persian: دنبال کردن (donbâl kardan) — to pursue an object or goal
  • Russian: преследовать (presledovatʹ) — to pursue an object or goal