go after

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.

See also: after

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.

See also: after

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go after somebody/something

1. to try to get or obtain someone or something There are a lot of people going after a piece of the budget, and some of them won't get any funding. I know I'll never fall into the trap of going after the big bucks.

2. to attack or try to hurt someone or something The candidate went after his opponent in a very personal way.

See also: after