tracking

track down

To search for or pursue someone or something until located or captured. A noun or pronoun can be used between "track" and "down." I've been trying to track down people from my graduating class for our high school reunion. The police tracked down the fugitive to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. My son really wants this particular toy, so I was wondering if you could help me track it down.

See also: down, track

track up

To spread dirty tracks or footprints across the surface of something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "track" and "up." Why on earth did you think it was a good idea to ride your bike through the house? You've tracked up all the carpets from the front door all the way to the back yard. The dog bolted into the house and began tracking the floors up with muddy paw prints.

See also: track, up

track someone or something down

to search out where someone or something is. I don't know where Anne is. I'll try to track her down. I'll track down Anne for you.

See also: down, track

track something up

to mess something up by spreading around something dirty or messy with one's shoes or feet. Please don't track the floor up! Claire tracked up the floor.

See also: track, up

track down

Follow successfully, locate, as in I've been trying to track down that book but haven't had any luck. This term alludes to the literal use of track, "follow the footsteps of." [Second half of 1800s]

See also: down, track

track down

v.

To pursue someone or something until found or captured: I tracked down the book I was looking for. The fugitives were missing for a month before the police tracked them down.

See also: down, track

track up

v.

1. To cover some surface or area with tracks: The kids tracked up the carpet with mud. In the morning, the newly fallen snow lay prettily, but by the afternoon, people had tracked it up.

2. To move north along some path or geographical feature. Used of storms: The storm tracked up the coast.

See also: track, up