make after
C2 - Very LowLiterary, Archaic, Rare
Definition
Meaning
To pursue or chase someone or something.
An older, chiefly literary or dialectal phrasal verb meaning to set off in pursuit, often implying energetic or determined following. Now rare in standard modern English.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies active, physical pursuit. Used with animate agents (people, animals) or vehicles. Does not mean 'to create after' in a temporal sense.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare and archaic in both varieties. May be slightly more recognized in British English due to preservation in older literary texts and classic novels.
Connotations
Old-fashioned, possibly dramatic or humorous if used today. Evokes imagery of chase scenes from 18th/19th century literature.
Frequency
Extremely low in contemporary corpora. Almost entirely replaced by 'chase', 'pursue', 'run after', or 'go after'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Subject + make after + Object (pursued entity)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly. The phrase itself is phrasal/idiomatic.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical/literary analysis.
Everyday
Virtually never used in modern conversation.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The constable made after the pickpocket down the alley.
- The hounds made after the fox with a great cry.
American English
- The sheriff made after the outlaw on his horse.
- Seeing the cat, the squirrel made after the nearest tree.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In the old story, the knight makes after the dragon to rescue the princess.
- Upon hearing the alarm, the security guard made after the intruder without hesitation.
- The phrase 'make after' is an archaism seldom encountered outside classic English literature.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a baker (MAKEs bread) running AFTER a thief who stole a loaf. He MAKES AFTER the thief.
Conceptual Metaphor
PURSUIT IS A JOURNEY/CREATION (The pursuer 'makes' a path or action directed 'after' the target).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить как 'делать после' (временная последовательность). Правильный смысловой перевод: 'броситься в погоню', 'пуститься в погоню'.
Common Mistakes
- *I will make after dinner. (Incorrect temporal use).
- *He made after a new plan. (Incorrect metaphorical use).
- Using it in modern speech where 'chase' is expected.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'make after'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered archaic or literary. In modern English, 'chase', 'pursue', or 'go after' are standard.
No, that would be a parsing error. The phrase is a fixed phrasal verb where 'make' means 'to set off' or 'to head', not 'to create'.
Primarily in 19th-century literature, historical novels, or in dialectal speech to add a period flavour.
No, it is only used as a phrasal verb. The act would be described as a 'pursuit' or 'chase'.