Phrasal verb
chase off
Definition
phrasal verb. to make a person or animal leave a place by running after them or acting in a scary way. You use this when you want to get rid of an unwanted visitor.
phrasal verb. to force a person or animal to depart by pursuit or intimidation. This transitive verb requires a direct object representing the entity being expelled.
Examples
“The loud dog managed to chase off the birds from the garden.”
“The shopkeeper had to chase off the group of teenagers who were loitering outside the entrance and blocking customers.”
“The sudden appearance of the apex predator was enough to chase off the smaller scavengers that had been picking at the carcass.”
Examples
simple
“The loud dog managed to chase off the birds from the garden.”
contextual
“The shopkeeper had to chase off the group of teenagers who were loitering outside the entrance and blocking customers.”
complex
“The sudden appearance of the apex predator was enough to chase off the smaller scavengers that had been picking at the carcass.”
Usage
usually followed by an animal or a person that is not welcome in a specific area.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'chase', which focuses on the act of following to catch; 'chase off' focuses on the result of making the subject leave.
Pitfall
The thief chased off when he saw the police.
The thief ran off when he saw the police.
the phrase is transitive and means to make someone else leave; it cannot be used to describe the subject's own departure.
Phrasal verb
Particles
off
Separability
optional
Pattern
chase + off + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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