Pursue vs. Chase — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 21, 2024
Pursue involves following or striving for something (e.g., a goal, interest, or activity) with intent and dedication, while chase typically implies actively and persistently following or seeking to catch something or someone, often with urgency or haste.
Difference Between Pursue and Chase
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Key Differences
To pursue something means to follow it with determination and focus, often over an extended period. This can refer to abstract goals like careers, hobbies, or educational achievements. Pursuing involves planning, dedication, and continued effort toward a specific end. On the other hand, to chase something usually involves a more immediate, intense, and sometimes physical effort to catch or attain it. Chasing can carry a sense of urgency and can be driven by a need or desire that demands swift action.
Pursuing is often used in contexts where there is a clear long-term goal or objective, and the actions taken are part of a strategic plan to achieve that goal. For instance, one might pursue a degree in medicine, which requires years of study and commitment. Chasing, however, is often associated with actions that are more spontaneous or reactive, such as chasing after a bus one is late for or a pet that has run off. It involves a direct and immediate effort to reach or obtain something.
The term pursue is frequently applied in a professional or personal development context, highlighting a path of growth or achievement. It suggests a measured and persistent effort, where setbacks are seen as part of the journey. Conversely, chase can imply a certain level of desperation or compulsion, suggesting that the chaser feels they have something to lose if they do not catch up to or attain their target quickly.
In relationships, the distinction becomes more nuanced. To pursue someone romantically means to show sustained interest and effort in forming a relationship, respecting the other’s feelings and space. Chasing in a romantic context might imply a one-sided effort, where the chaser is more focused on the thrill of the chase or the conquest itself, possibly overlooking the other person’s signals or desires.
While both pursuing and chasing imply movement towards an objective, the key difference lies in the manner and mindset with which one approaches the goal. Pursuing embodies a strategic, long-term commitment, whereas chasing often connotes a more immediate, sometimes frantic effort to achieve an objective.
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Comparison Chart
Connotation
Strategic and dedicated effort towards a goal.
Immediate and often urgent effort to catch or obtain.
Context
Often used for long-term goals or interests.
Commonly associated with immediate, physical, or short-term objectives.
Implication
Suggests planning, dedication, and persistence.
Implies urgency, potentially desperation, and immediate action.
Application
Professional development, education, hobbies.
Catching something or someone, reacting to an opportunity.
Relationship Context
Sustained interest and effort, respecting boundaries.
One-sided effort, focused on attainment or conquest.
Compare with Definitions
Pursue
To follow or engage in with determination.
She decided to pursue a career in environmental science.
Chase
Seek to attain or accomplish.
She's always chasing the next big trend in fashion.
Pursue
To carry on or continue with an activity.
Despite the challenges, they pursued their plan to travel the world.
Chase
To pursue with intent to capture.
The lion chased its prey across the savannah.
Pursue
To follow in order to catch or attack.
The detective pursued the suspect across the city.
Chase
To drive or cause to go in a specified direction.
The dog chased the ball into the bushes.
Pursue
Actively seeking to achieve a long-term goal.
He continues to pursue his interest in photography through various courses.
Chase
Pursue in order to catch up with.
He had to chase down the papers that blew away in the wind.
Pursue
Engage in (an activity or course of action).
They chose to pursue a lawsuit to seek justice.
Chase
To follow rapidly in order to catch or overtake.
The police chased the thief through the alley.
Pursue
Follow or chase (someone or something)
A heavily indebted businessman was being pursued by creditors
The officer pursued the van
Chase
Pursue in order to catch or catch up with
The dog chased after the stick
Police chased the stolen car through the city
Pursue
Continue or proceed along (a path or route)
The road pursued a straight course over the scrubland
Chase
Drive or cause to go in a specified direction
She chased him out of the house
Pursue
To follow in an effort to overtake or capture; chase
A fox that was pursued by hounds.
Chase
Try to obtain (something owed or required)
The company employs people to chase up debts
Pursue
To strive to gain or accomplish
Pursue lofty political goals.
Chase
Engrave (metal, or a design on metal)
A miniature container with a delicately chased floral design
Pursue
To proceed along the course of; follow
A ship that pursued the southern course.
Chase
An act of pursuing someone or something
They captured the youths after a brief chase
Pursue
To carry further; advance
Let's not pursue this argument.
Chase
(in letterpress printing) a metal frame for holding the composed type and blocks being printed at one time.
Pursue
To take action regarding (something), especially with the intention of sustained effort
A detective who pursued each lead.
Chase
The part of a gun enclosing the bore.
Pursue
To engage in (a vocation or hobby, for example); practice.
Chase
A groove or furrow cut in the face of a wall or other surface to receive a pipe or wire.
Pursue
To try to have a romantic relationship with
A lady who was pursued by many suitors.
Chase
To follow rapidly in order to catch or overtake; pursue
The police officers chased the thief. The dog chased the cat across the yard.
Pursue
To continue to torment or afflict; haunt
Was pursued by the demons of lust and greed.
Chase
To follow (game) in order to capture or kill; hunt
Chase foxes.
Pursue
To follow in an effort to overtake or capture; chase.
Chase
To seek the favor or company of persistently
Chased me until I agreed to a date.
Pursue
To take action regarding something or carry on an established activity or project.
Chase
To put to flight; drive
She chased the rabbits from the garden.
Pursue
(ambitransitive) To follow urgently, originally with intent to capture or harm; to chase.
Pursue one's dreams
Chase
To cause (an opposing pitcher) to be removed from a game by batting well.
Pursue
(transitive) To follow, travel down (a particular way, course of action etc.).
Her rival pursued a quite different course.
Chase
To swing at and miss (a pitch, especially one out of the strike zone).
Pursue
(transitive) To aim for, go after (a specified objective, situation etc.).
Chase
To go or follow in pursuit
My friends and I chased after the loose dog.
Pursue
(transitive) To participate in (an activity, business etc.); to practise, follow (a profession).
Chase
(Informal) To go hurriedly; rush
Chased all over looking for us.
Pursue
(intransitive) To act as a legal prosecutor.
Chase
To groove; indent.
Pursue
To follow with a view to overtake; to follow eagerly, or with haste; to chase; as, to pursue a hare.
We happiness pursue; we fly from pain.
The happiness of men lies in purswing,Not in possessing.
Chase
To cut (the thread of a screw).
Pursue
To seek; to use or adopt measures to obtain; as, to pursue a remedy at law.
The fame of ancient matrons you pursue.
Chase
To decorate (metal) by engraving or embossing.
Pursue
To proceed along, with a view to some and or object; to follow; to go in; as, Captain Cook pursued a new route; the administration pursued a wise course.
Chase
The act of chasing; pursuit
The police arrested the driver after a wild chase.
Pursue
To prosecute; to be engaged in; to continue.
Chase
The hunting of game
The thrill of the chase.
Pursue
To follow as an example; to imitate.
Chase
Something that is hunted or pursued; quarry
The hunters drove their chase into the open.
Pursue
To follow with enmity; to persecute; to call to account.
The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have pursued me, they shall pursue you also.
Chase
A privately owned, unenclosed game preserve.
Pursue
To go in pursuit; to follow.
The wicked flee when no man pursueth.
Men hotly pursued after the objects of their ambition.
Chase
The right to hunt or keep game on the land of others.
Pursue
To go on; to proceed, especially in argument or discourse; to continue.
I have, pursues Carneades, wondered chemists should not consider.
Chase
A rectangular steel or iron frame into which pages or columns of type are locked for printing or plate making.
Pursue
To follow a matter judicially, as a complaining party; to act as a prosecutor.
Chase
A groove cut in an object; a slot
The chase for the quarrel on a crossbow.
Pursue
Carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in;
She pursued many activities
They engaged in a discussion
Chase
A trench or channel for drainpipes or wiring.
Pursue
Follow in or as if in pursuit;
The police car pursued the suspected attacker
Her bad deed followed her and haunted her dreams all her life
Chase
The part of a gun in front of the trunnions.
Pursue
Go in search of or hunt for;
Pursue a hobby
Chase
The cavity of a mold.
Pursue
Carry further or advance;
Can you act on this matter soon?
Chase
The act of one who chases another; a pursuit.
Chase
A hunt; the act of hunting; the pursuit of game.
Chase
(uncountable) A children's game where one player chases another.
Chase
(British) A large country estate where game may be shot or hunted.
Chase
Anything being chased, especially a vessel in time of war.
Chase
(obsolete) A wild animal that is hunted.
Chase
(nautical) Any of the guns that fire directly ahead or astern; either a bow chase or stern chase.
Chase
(real tennis) The occurrence of a second bounce by the ball in certain areas of the court, giving the server the chance, later in the game, to "play off" the chase from the receiving end and possibly win the point.
Chase
(real tennis) A division of the floor of a gallery, marked by a figure or otherwise; the spot where a ball falls, and between which and the dedans the adversary must drive the ball in order to gain a point.
Chase
(cycling) One or more riders who are ahead of the peloton and trying to join the race or stage leaders.
Chase
(music) A series of brief improvised jazz solos by a number of musicians taking turns.
Chase
(printing) A rectangular steel or iron frame into which pages or columns of type are locked for printing or plate-making.
Chase
A groove cut in an object; a slot: the chase for the quarrel on a crossbow.
Chase
(architecture) A trench or channel or other encasement structure for encasing (archaically spelled enchasing) drainpipes or wiring; a hollow space in the wall of a building encasing ventilation ducts, chimney flues, wires, cables or plumbing.
Chase
The part of a gun in front of the trunnions.
Chase
The cavity of a mold.
Chase
(shipbuilding) A kind of joint by which an overlap joint is changed to a flush joint by means of a gradually deepening rabbet, as at the ends of clinker-built boats.
Chase
(transitive) To pursue.
Chase
(transitive) To follow at speed.
Chase
(transitive) To hunt.
Chase
(transitive) To seek to attain.
The team are chasing their first home win this season.
Chase
To pursue a vessel in order to destroy, capture or interrogate her.
Chase
(transitive) To consume another beverage immediately after drinking hard liquor, typically something better tasting or less harsh such as soda or beer; to use a drink as a chaser.
I need something to chase this shot with.
Chase
To attempt to win by scoring the required number of runs in the final innings.
Australia will be chasing 217 for victory on the final day.
Chase
To swing at a pitch outside of the strike zone, typically an outside pitch.
Jones chases one out of the zone for strike two.
Chase
To produce enough offense to cause the pitcher to be removed.
The rally chased the starter.
Chase
(transitive) To groove; indent.
Chase
(transitive) To place piping or wiring in a groove encased within a wall or floor, or in a hidden space encased by a wall.
Chase the pipe
Chase
(transitive) To cut (the thread of a screw).
Chase
(transitive) To decorate (metal) by engraving or embossing.
Chase
To pursue for the purpose of killing or taking, as an enemy, or game; to hunt.
We are those which chased you from the field.
Philologists, who chaseA panting syllable through time and place.
Chase
To follow as if to catch; to pursue; to compel to move on; to drive by following; to cause to fly; - often with away or off; as, to chase the hens away.
Chased by their brother's endless malice from prince to prince and from place to place.
Chase
To pursue eagerly, as hunters pursue game.
Chasing each other merrily.
Chase
To give chase; to hunt; as, to chase around after a doctor.
Chase
To ornament (a surface of metal) by embossing, cutting away parts, and the like.
Chase
To cut, so as to make a screw thread.
Chase
Vehement pursuit for the purpose of killing or capturing, as of an enemy, or game; an earnest seeking after any object greatly desired; the act or habit of hunting; a hunt.
You see this chase is hotly followed.
Chase
An open hunting ground to which game resorts, and which is private properly, thus differing from a forest, which is not private property, and from a park, which is inclosed. Sometimes written chace.
Chase
A division of the floor of a gallery, marked by a figure or otherwise; the spot where a ball falls, and between which and the dedans the adversary must drive his ball in order to gain a point.
Chase
A rectangular iron frame in which pages or columns of type are imposed.
Chase
The part of a cannon from the reënforce or the trunnions to the swell of the muzzle. See Cannon.
Chase
A groove, or channel, as in the face of a wall; a trench, as for the reception of drain tile.
Chase
A kind of joint by which an overlap joint is changed to a flush joint, by means of a gradually deepening rabbet, as at the ends of clinker-built boats.
Chase
The act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture;
The culprit started to run and the cop took off in pursuit
Chase
Go after with the intent to catch;
The policeman chased the mugger down the alley
The dog chased the rabbit
Chase
Cut a groove into;
Chase silver
Chase
Cut a furrow into a columns
Common Curiosities
Why is the manner of approach important in pursue vs. chase?
The manner of approach is important because it reflects the mindset and strategy behind the effort, which can influence the likelihood of success and the nature of the journey towards the goal.
Is chasing always physical?
While chasing often implies a physical action, it can also refer to an eager or desperate effort to achieve something non-physical, like a goal or trend.
What is the main difference between pursue and chase?
The main difference is that pursue is often strategic and dedicated, focusing on long-term goals, while chase implies a more immediate, urgent effort to catch or attain something.
What does it mean to pursue something?
To pursue something means to follow or engage in it with determination and dedication, often as part of a strategic effort to achieve a long-term goal.
Can pursuing something ever become chasing?
Yes, if the effort to achieve a goal becomes more desperate or loses its strategic focus, pursuing can shift into chasing.
How do pursue and chase differ in romantic contexts?
In romantic contexts, pursue implies a respectful and sustained effort to form a relationship, while chase might indicate a more one-sided or conquest-driven effort.
Is it negative to chase something?
Chasing something isn't inherently negative; it depends on the context and the manner in which the chase is conducted. However, it can become problematic if it leads to obsessive behavior or neglect of other important aspects of life.
How can one transition from chasing to pursuing a goal?
Transitioning from chasing to pursuing a goal involves adopting a more strategic and measured approach, setting clear objectives, planning the steps to achieve them, and focusing on long-term dedication rather than immediate gratification.
Can pursue and chase be used interchangeably?
While there may be contexts where they seem interchangeable, especially in casual conversation, their connotations differ significantly, making them distinct in more precise usage.
What does it mean to chase a dream?
To chase a dream means to actively and perhaps urgently seek to make a desire or aspiration a reality, often requiring immediate or passionate effort.
What is the significance of planning in pursuing a goal?
Planning is crucial in pursuing a goal as it involves laying out a strategic pathway, considering potential obstacles, and maintaining focus over the long term, all of which increase the chances of success.
How does pursue relate to professional development?
In professional development, pursue refers to the continuous effort and dedication towards career growth, skill acquisition, or achieving professional milestones.
How does persistence play a role in pursuit?
Persistence is key in pursuit as it involves continued effort and dedication even in the face of challenges or setbacks, highlighting the commitment to achieving the goal.
What makes a chase successful?
A chase can be successful if it's driven by a clear objective, executed with determination, and adaptable to changing circumstances, leading to the achievement of the desired outcome.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
