get after (someone or something)
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.
2. To chase after or pursue someone. Get after the burglar before he escapes!
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.
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.
See also: after, get
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
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.
See also: after, get
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
get after
Urge or scold someone about doing something. For example, Dad should get after Billy to mow the lawn, or Mary got after Jane for forgetting her house key. Also see keep after.
See also: after, get
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
get after
v.
1. To urge or scold someone: You should get after the kids to mow the lawn.
2. To pursue something that is a problem or menace: If you don't get after those termites, your house will be destroyed.
See also: after, get
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
- get after
- put (someone or something) under a microscope
- How old are you?
- jump down someone's throat, to
- come down on
- come down on (someone or something)
- call (one) to task
- give (someone) what for, to