1 B1 neutral
To force a person or animal to leave by chasing or threatening them.
"The shopkeeper chased the pigeons off with a broom."
separable
chase off
B1 neutral separable transitive
To force someone or something to leave by chasing them.
In plain English
To make someone go away by running after them or threatening them.
What does "chase off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To deter or discourage someone from doing something by being aggressive or unwelcoming.
"His rude manner chased off several potential customers."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To chase someone off the premises — away from where they are.
Actually means
To make someone go away by running after them or threatening them.
Usage tip
Very similar to 'chase away'. Both can be used for people, animals, or figurative threats. 'Chase off' may feel slightly more definitive — the target is fully gone after being chased. Common in informal speech.
Words that pair with "chase off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
intruder trespasser animal bird threat
How to conjugate "chase off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
chase off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
chases off
he/she/it
Past simple
chased off
yesterday
Past participle
chased off
have + pp
-ing form
chasing off
continuous
Hear "chase off" in the wild
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Other ways to say "chase off"
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