Cool MateHunt them down vs Pursue
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hunt them down
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Pursue
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Most formal: PursueMost common: Pursue
| Hunt them down | Pursue | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //hʌnt ðɛm daʊn//🇺🇸 //hʌnt ðɛm daʊn// | 🇬🇧 //pəˈsjuː//🇺🇸 //pərˈsuː// |
| Meaning | to chase or find someone or something | To chase or try to achieve something. |
| Example | The hunter decided to hunt them down after they escaped. | He decided to pursue a career in medicine. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | hunt someone down, hunt someone to the ends of the earth, hunt them down relentlessly | pursue a goal, pursue a career, pursue an opportunity |
| Antonyms | let go, release, abandon | abandon, give up, discontinue |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'search for' which is less aggressive., 'Hunt them down' is often misused when not talking about pursuing someone. | Confused with 'follow' – 'pursue' implies a more active effort., Using 'pursue' with inanimate objects, instead of actions or goals. |
| Usage notes | Use in casual conversations, often in contexts like games or crime stories. Avoid in formal writing. | Use 'pursue' in neutral or formal contexts, such as academic or professional goals. Avoid in casual conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Hunt them down vs Pursue
What's the difference between Hunt them down and Pursue?
Hunt them down: to chase or find someone or something Pursue: To chase or try to achieve something.
Which is more formal: Hunt them down and Pursue?
Pursue is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Hunt them down and Pursue?
Pursue is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Hunt them down: The hunter decided to hunt them down after they escaped. Pursue: He decided to pursue a career in medicine.
Can I use Hunt them down and Pursue interchangeably?
Not always. Hunt them down and Pursue 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.