chase up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chase up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an idiom that means to take action to make sure something is done, often by making more inquiries or following up with someone. For example, "I need to chase up those missed payments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They had to chase up every trail of information to locate our volunteers.

The Guardian

Then we had to chase up a couple of cousins in Samoa.

The Guardian - Sport

Prices did chase up tremendously, but they didn't chase down the way some other overheated markets did.

The New York Times

She also highlighted failures by staff to chase up requests for medical attention for Ms Cooke's pressure sores.

Independent

They will have to visit the police station daily to chase up their papers and it's a long way.

The Guardian

Check Facebook pages of companies you like - follow hints and chase up vague clues that you come across.

The Guardian

The MP should send the details to the Home Office and they would "chase up that particular case".

The Guardian

"My colleague had to chase up someone in another department for not meeting a deadline for paperwork to be submitted.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

All of this and the response of the ward sister and matron shows up on senior managers' own dashboards, allowing them to chase up lapses quickly.

The Economist

For sport this week I have tried to chase up the deposits of a couple of tenants I met on Twitter.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Rules of the Chase: Up-and-Comers. 1. Registered investment advisors must have between $100 million and $500 million in discretionary assets under management, as reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission as of Sept. 30, 2010.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chase up", specify what you are following up on for clarity. For example, "chase up the invoice" is more effective than simply "chase up".

Common error

While "chase up" is acceptable in many settings, it can sound slightly informal in very formal or academic writing. Consider more formal alternatives like "follow up" or "investigate" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "chase up" functions as a dynamic verb, indicating an action to pursue or follow through with something. According to Ludwig AI, it is a valid and usable phrase. The examples provided show it used in contexts where someone is actively trying to ensure a task is completed or information is obtained.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "chase up" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the act of following up on something to ensure its completion. Ludwig AI affirms its validity, and it's widely used across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific articles. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "follow up" in very formal settings. Remember to clearly specify what you are chasing up to avoid ambiguity. Its prevalence in authoritative sources like The Guardian, The Economist and The New York Times underscores its acceptability in standard English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

follow up on

This phrase is a direct synonym, emphasizing the act of monitoring and inquiring about something.

follow through with

Highlights the completion aspect of a task or promise.

look into

Focuses more on investigating or examining a matter rather than strictly ensuring completion.

check on

Implies a lighter form of follow-up, often used for routine monitoring.

monitor

Stresses the ongoing tracking of something's progress.

expedite

Focuses on accelerating a process, not just monitoring it.

pursue

Implies a more determined and active effort to achieve something.

press for

Emphasizes urging or insisting on something.

push for

Similar to "press for", but can also imply advocating for something.

investigate

Focuses on exploring the details of a matter.

FAQs

How can I use "chase up" in a sentence?

You can use "chase up" to mean following up on something to ensure it's done. For example, "I need to chase up the client about the contract."

What's a good alternative to "chase up"?

Alternatives include "follow up on", "look into", or "check on", depending on the context.

Is "chase up" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, in very formal contexts, consider alternatives like "follow up on" or "investigate" to maintain a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "chase up" and "follow up"?

"Chase up" and "follow up on" are often interchangeable, but "chase up" can sometimes imply a more assertive or persistent effort to get something done.