Take After (Phrasal Verb) – Meaning & Examples
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| Take After (Phrasal Verb) |
What Does "Take After" Mean?
The phrasal verb "take after" has two different meanings in English. Its most common meaning is to resemble an older member of your family in appearance, personality, or behaviour. It is often used when a child looks or behaves like one of their parents, grandparents, or another close relative.
A second, less common meaning is to run after or pursue someone, especially in stories involving police, detectives, or people chasing others.
Understanding the context will help you recognise which meaning is intended.
Definition of "Take After"
Meaning 1
To look like or behave like an older member of your family, especially your mother or father.
Examples
The baby took after his father.
Dua really takes after her mother.
My son does not take after me at all.
Most of my children take after my wife.
Her mother was lazy, but her father has not a lazy bone in his body, and Rits takes after him.
Emma takes after her grandmother because they both have the same smile.
He takes after his father in both appearance and personality.
Although they are twins, only one of them takes after their mother.
When Is "Take After" Used?
This meaning is commonly used when talking about:
Family resemblance
Physical appearance
Personality | Related reading → Personality Idioms
Habits
Talents and abilities
Character traits
People often use this phrasal verb when comparing children with their parents or grandparents.
Meaning 2
To run after or pursue someone or something.
This meaning is less common in everyday conversation but is still found in stories, novels, newspapers, and reports.
Examples
The detective took after the burglars.
She was afraid that if she started running, the man would take after her.
The police officer took after the suspect through the crowded streets.
The dog took after the rabbit as soon as it escaped from the garden.
Seeing the thief run away, several people took after him.
Grammar of "Take After"
Base form: take after
Past tense: took after
Past participle: taken after
Present participle: taking after
Sentence Patterns
Take after + person
She takes after her mother.
He takes after his grandfather.
Take after + someone
The detective took after the suspect.
The guard took after the escaping prisoner.
Similar Words and Phrases (Meaning 1)
If "take after" means to resemble a family member, you can also use these expressions:
resemble
be like
be similar to
look like
favour
remind you of
bear a resemblance to
put you in mind of
be the spitting image of
Although these expressions are similar, "take after" specifically refers to resemblance within a family.
Synonyms (Meaning 2)
When "take after" means to pursue someone, these words have similar meanings:
chase
pursue
follow
run after
track
hunt down
Common Mistakes
❌ She takes after like her mother.
✔ She takes after her mother.
❌ He took after to his father.
✔ He took after his father.
❌ The detective took after of the thief.
✔ The detective took after the thief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does "take after" always refer to appearance?
No. It can refer to appearance, personality, behaviour, habits, talents, or other characteristics inherited from family members.
Can someone take after a grandparent?
Yes. A person may take after any older member of the family, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, or other close relatives.
Is "take after" formal or informal?
It is a neutral phrasal verb and is suitable for both spoken and written English.
What is the difference between "take after" and "look like"?
Look like usually refers only to physical appearance, whereas take after can describe appearance, personality, behaviour, talents, and other family characteristics.
Learn another phrasal verb → Chicken Out
Conclusion
The phrasal verb "take after" has two useful meanings. Most commonly, it means to resemble an older family member in appearance, personality, or behaviour. Less commonly, it means to chase or pursue someone. Learning both meanings will help you understand this versatile phrasal verb in conversations, books, and everyday English. With regular practice and exposure to example sentences, you will be able to recognise and use "take after" naturally and confidently.