What are the definitions of “hunt down”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Search for someone to punish or kill them.
The police HUNTED the killer DOWN.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “hunt down”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb hunt down is to search for someone or something with the intention of capturing, punishing, or killing them. It is often used when talking about criminals or dangerous animals.
What are the different verb forms of “hunt down”?
| Root Verb | hunt down |
| Third Person Singular Present | hunts down |
| Present Participle | hunting down |
| Simple Past | hunted down |
| Past Participle | hunted down |
Example
The police hunt down criminals to keep the city safe.
Example
She hunts down rare books for her collection.
Example
The detective is hunting down the escaped convict.
Example
The villagers hunted down the wild animal that was attacking their livestock.
Example
The criminal was hunted down and arrested by the police.
What kind of phrasal verb is “hunt down”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“hunt down” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
The police hunted down the escaped prisoner.
Example
The detective hunted the criminal down after a long investigation.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“hunt down” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The police hunted down the escaped prisoner.
Example
The detective hunted the criminal down after a long investigation.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “hunt down”?
To search for and find specific information or facts.
Example
As a journalist, he spends his days hunting down information for his articles.
Good things to know
Does “hunt down” have an informal or formal tone?
Hunt down is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, news reports, and even in more formal writing, depending on the specific context.
