run after (someone or something)

run after (someone or something)

1. Literally, to chase behind or closely follow someone or something on foot. John really looks up to his older brother, always running after him wherever he goes. The dog ran after the truck, following it for nearly three blocks.

2. To pursue someone as a romantic or sexual partner. I ran after her for nearly a year, but I finally realized I've been wasting my time. All I did was drink and run after girls when I was younger, but I've grown out of that wild behavior now.

3. To attempt to achieve, accomplish, or procure something through persistent effort. I still remember the thrill of being on stage for the first time in front of a live audience. I've been running after that feeling ever since. If you spend your whole life running after success, you're going to miss the things that end up mattering most.

See also: after, run

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

run after someone

to chase someone of the opposite sex hoping for a date or some attention. Is John still running after Ann? No, Ann is running after John.

See also: after, run

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

run after

Also, chase after.

1. Follow, pursue with haste, as in Our dog loves to run after the mail truck, or The children were chasing after the geese in the park. [c. 1300]

2. Seek the company or attention of, especially aggressively. For example, He's run after her for a year, but she just ignores him. [Early 1500s]

See also: after, run

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.

run after

v.

1. To chase or pursue someone or something: The fox ran after the rabbit.

2. To follow something, always lagging behind: Stock prices have been running after bond prices for a while.

3. To seek the company or attention of someone for purposes of romance: She finally became tired of running after him. I can't believe the way he runs after her.

See also: after, run

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.