# chase up

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/chase-up
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to contact someone to ask for information or a result that they have not given you yet.

For teachers: to pursue a person or organization to ensure that a pending task is completed or that overdue information is provided.

## Examples

- I need to chase up that late payment.
- If the supplier doesn't email you by noon, you should chase them up to see what happened.
- The administrative assistant spent the entire afternoon chasing up outstanding invoices from several clients who had exceeded their credit terms.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I will chase up to him." but "I will chase him up." — the person or thing being chased is the direct object; do not use 'to' after the phrase.

## Usage notes

- commonly used in professional or office contexts regarding tasks, emails, or payments.
- Teaching tip: this is a common British English expression; in American English, 'follow up on' is the more frequent equivalent.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.