be after
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle after
Meanings
Be trying to find or get something
Why “after”? A person follows a moving target and tries to reach or obtain it.
“What are you after?”
“Nina is after a job at the new hotel.”
Test yourself
“What are you after?” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
chase after
Same after pattern: chasing
Pursue someone or something quickly
come after
Same after pattern: chasing
Be later than something in time or order; Chase someone, or try to punish them
go after
Same after pattern: chasing
Pursue someone or something with effort
run after
Same after pattern: chasing
Chase someone by running
be about
Same base verb: be
Be going to do something very soon
be around
Same base verb: be
Be present in the locality
be at
Same base verb: be
Be in a particular place or point; Be doing something again, often something annoying
be behind
Same base verb: be
Be late with work or a schedule; Be the hidden cause or organiser of something; Support a person, plan, or cause
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