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Glite Dictionary
to chase after people

to chase after people

4.1
Try hard to get attention, approval or love from other people
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : perseguir a las personas
  • Don't chase after people who don't appreciate you!

Examples

  • After her move to the city, she stopped chasing after people and focused on herself.

  • You shouldn't chase after people just to feel accepted.

  • He would often chase after people who were not interested in him.

  • She chases after people who are popular.

  • He would often chase after people who were not interested in him.

  • You shouldn't chase after people just to feel accepted.

  • Don't chase after people who don't appreciate you!

Synonyms

to pursue
vsto chase after people
∞ 3.5

To try to get something you want, like a job or a goal

is aimed at getting others' attention or approval rather than general goals
to go after
vsto chase after people
839 2.1

Try to get something you want or follow someone to catch them

is directed at winning others' attention or approval instead of general effort
to chase after
vsto chase after people
38 2.4

To try to reach or get something you want

is used for seeking others' attention or approval rather than physical catching
to run around after
vsto chase after people
  • Informal
1 4.0

Do a lot of things for someone who keeps asking for help

is focused on getting others' attention or approval persistently and eagerly
pursuing
vsto chase after people
3.2

Following someone to try to catch them

is about seeking others' attention and approval rather than mere physical following

Antonyms

to ignore
∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

to repel
21 4.2

Make someone or something move back and stay away, often by using force

How Attention-Seeking

to beg
417 1.0
to chase after people
4.1
to make friends
134 1.0

Surface Forms

chase after people infinitive
chased after people past
chased after people past participle
chasing after people present participle
chases after people third person singular

Morphology

chase + after + people

The core sense 'to pursue' is directly available from 'chase' (to pursue) + 'after' (following) and 'people' (humans), so a learner can infer the general idea of pursuing others. However the extension to social goals (attention, affection, approval) is metaphorical rather than strictly literal, and some pragmatic nuance (persistent/eager pursuit vs. literal running) may not be fully predictable, making it only partially transparent.

Etymology

Chase after people comes from the image of someone running to catch another person who is walking away, with chase meaning to follow and people showing who is being followed. So, it now means 'to try hard to get someone's attention or approval'.