get after (someone or something)
1. To push, encourage, or reprimand someone about doing something. I'll get after Tom about going to this interview—it's too important an opportunity to waste. You know Mom's going to get after you about your bad report card, right? She thinks you're slacking this year. The kids haven't being doing their chores, so it's time to get after them about it.
2. To chase after or pursue someone. Get after the burglar before he escapes! Thank goodness our neighbor was outside and able to get after our cat the minute she slipped through the door. Hey, get after him! That man just stole my purse!
3. To address something that is troublesome. If your engine is making a weird sound, you better get after it before it becomes a real problem. That cough sounds terrible. Would you please get after it and make an appointment with the doctor? A: "Why did you take the whole blender apart?" B: "Well, it would randomly stop working at times, so I wanted to get after that issue."
4. To strive to obtain, achieve, or accomplish something with intensity or alacrity. We need to get after some bigger contracts if we want to survive in this industry. Nothing is guaranteed for guys like me, so I know I have to get after that last roster spot in spring training. If someone with your pure talent, got after the record, I bet you could beat it.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
get after someone
1. Lit. to begin to chase someone. The other boys got after him and almost caught him. Henry got after Bill and almost caught up with him.
2. Fig. to bother someone about doing something; to scold someone about something. I will get after Fred about his behavior. Please don't get after me all the time.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.