go after
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle after
Meanings
Pursue someone or something with effort
Why “after”? A person follows a moving target and tries to reach or obtain it.
“He went after the thief.”
“The reporter went after the full story.”
Don't confuse with
Go after means pursue someone or something with effort. Go ahead means begin or continue with a planned action.
Test yourself
“He went after the thief.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
go ahead
A contrast learners often mix up
Begin or continue with a planned action
be after
Same after pattern: chasing
Be trying to find or get something
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
run after
Same after pattern: chasing
Chase someone by running
go about
Same base verb: go
Approach or carry out a task in a particular way; Do your normal activities
go across
Same base verb: go
Move from one side of a place to the other
go against
Same base verb: go
Not follow or match a rule, belief, advice, or wish
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