To search for and find someone or something after a determined, persistent effort, especially with the intention of capturing or confronting them.
Find someone or something after a long, determined search — especially a criminal or fugitive.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To pursue and capture or confront a person after a determined search.
"The authorities vowed to hunt down every person responsible for the attack."
We will hunt down those responsible.
— George W. Bush, address to the nation following the September 11 attacks, 2001
To search persistently for an object, piece of information, or item until it is found.
"She hunted down a first edition of the book after years of searching."
To hunt (pursue as prey) and bring down — a transparent hunting metaphor.
Find someone or something after a long, determined search — especially a criminal or fugitive.
Very common in news, crime fiction, and everyday speech. Often used in contexts of law enforcement, military operations, or determined personal searches. Can be used of objects as well as people. The object can come between 'hunt' and 'down': 'hunt him down'.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "hunt down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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