Cool MateChase vs Hunt them down
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Chase
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Hunt them down
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: ChaseMost common: Chase
| Chase | Hunt them down | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/tʃeɪs/","/ˈtʃeɪsɪz/","/tʃeɪst/","/ˈtʃeɪsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/tʃeɪs/","/ˈtʃeɪsɪz/","/tʃeɪst/","/ˈtʃeɪsɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //hʌnt ðɛm daʊn//🇺🇸 //hʌnt ðɛm daʊn// |
| Meaning | To run after someone or something quickly. | to chase or find someone or something |
| Example | The children love to chase each other in the park. | The hunter decided to hunt them down after they escaped. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | chase a dream, chase after, chase someone away | hunt someone down, hunt someone to the ends of the earth, hunt them down relentlessly |
| Antonyms | flee, avoid, escape | let go, release, abandon |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'chase after' which is less common., Using the wrong tense, e.g., 'chased' instead of 'chase' when describing a continuing action., Using it without an object, e.g., saying 'I chase' instead of 'I chase the cat.' | Confusing with 'search for' which is less aggressive., 'Hunt them down' is often misused when not talking about pursuing someone. |
| Usage notes | Used when someone is trying to catch something or someone. It's appropriate for most contexts but can be informal if used in phrases like 'chase your dreams.' | Use in casual conversations, often in contexts like games or crime stories. Avoid in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Chase vs Hunt them down
What's the difference between Chase and Hunt them down?
Chase: To run after someone or something quickly. Hunt them down: to chase or find someone or something
Which is more formal: Chase and Hunt them down?
Chase is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Chase and Hunt them down?
Chase is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Chase: The children love to chase each other in the park. Hunt them down: The hunter decided to hunt them down after they escaped.
Can I use Chase and Hunt them down interchangeably?
Not always. Chase and Hunt them down are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.