get after

To keep telling someone to do something, often in an annoyed or critical way.

• Dad got after me to wash the dishes.
• The teacher gets after students who forget their homework.
• Stop getting after her about every small mistake.

How to use it: get after someone to do something (My mother got after me to clean my room.); get after someone about something (The manager got after us about the unfinished work.)

Similar words: nag, urge, pester

Common phrases: get after someone, get after the children

To start working hard to achieve something you want.

• It is time to get after your goals.
• She got after her degree and finished early.
• Are you ready to get after that promotion?

How to use it: get after something (You need to get after your goals instead of waiting.)

Similar words: pursue, work towards

Common phrases: get after something, get after your goals

To try actively to catch someone or beat an opponent.

• Get after him before he escapes!
• The defenders got after the quarterback from the first play.
• Our team needs to get after their opponents today.

How to use it: get after someone (Our defenders need to get after their fastest player.)

Similar words: chase, pursue, attack

Common phrases: get after someone, get after the quarterback