# hunt down

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hunt-down
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to search for someone or something until you find them, especially when it is difficult.

For teachers: to pursue a person or object relentlessly until located or captured; often implies a systematic or intensive search.

## Examples

- The police managed to hunt down the suspect after a long chase.
- I spent all afternoon trying to hunt down that specific book in every shop in town.
- The investigative journalist spent months in the archives, determined to hunt down the original documents that would prove the senator's involvement in the scandal.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He hunted down to the thief." but "He hunted down the thief." — the phrase is transitive and takes a direct object without an extra preposition like 'to'.

## Usage notes

- often used with people (criminals) or hard-to-find items (rare books, specific information).
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'look for' or 'search'; 'hunt down' implies a successful conclusion to a difficult or aggressive search.

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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.