go after (someone or something)
1. To do something after someone else does. Karen was in line first, so you can go after her. I don't care who goes after me, but I'm going down the slide first! We'll be in alphabetical order, so you'll go after Madison.
2. To pursue someone or something in order to catch or catch up with them or it. Todd seemed pretty upset when he ran out, so I'll go after him and see how he's doing. I saw her running down the street going after some papers that were being blown away by the wind. Someone go after that creep—he just stole my purse!
3. To pursue some desired goal, achievement, objective, etc. Sarah's always been one to go after her dreams, so I'm not surprised she's such a successful businesswoman now. I'm going after a PhD in applied physics. A: "I set goals each month, and then I go after them." B: "Wow. You're much more disciplined than I am!"
4. To attempt to achieve dominance in some competitive field or market. With this latest acquisition, it's become clear that the tech company is going after the high-end mobile phone market. Have you seen how well their star pitcher's been playing? It's like he came into this season determined to go after the Cy Young Award. He was fired by that company years ago, so I'm sure he doesn't mind going after them with a similar product now.
5. To make a concerted effort to punish someone or something acting or operating illegally. The government has made it clear that it will start going after companies that fail to disclose overseas earnings on their tax filings. The FBI has been going after the notorious gangster for years, but they are still no closer to nailing him on any credible charges. If rich people don't pay their taxes, then the IRS should absolutely go after them!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
go after someone, something
, or an animal 1. Lit. to pursue someone, something, or an animal. (See also
go after someone.)
The dogs went after the burglar. I went after the gang that took my wallet. 2. Fig. to charge or attack someone or an animal. The bear went after the hunters and scared them off. Then the bear went after the hunting dogs and killed two.
go after someone
to investigate someone or something for possible criminal prosecution. The prosecutor went after Max first, knowing that Max was the gang leader. The police detectives went after the whole gang.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
go after
Pursue, try to get, as in The officer went after the burglar; or Ed was going after a new job with a vengeance. [Mid-1400s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.