Learn English – What’s the difference between “hunt” and “hunt down”

phrasal-verbsword-choiceword-usage

The Google definitions are almost the same:

hunt

search determinedly for someone or something.

hunt down

to try to find a particular thing or person.

Example sentence:

Pool parties were the perfect place for her: she could show off her
body, liquor up, and hunt (down) men.

Best Answer

In general, "hunting" implies a high chance of failing to find, catch, or kill whatever/whomever is being hunted.

"Hunt down" implies persevering until whatever/whomever is being hunted is "caught" or "dead" (either literally or figuratively). Often, this involves techniques to "corner" the target(s). A target that has been "backed into a corner" can only escape by going toward the hunter(s).

"Hunt down" is also more likely to imply that particular targets have been identified. For example, "hunt down men" might mean that:

  • "she" has particular men in mind, or
  • upon arriving at the party, she notices particular men, and will later on "hunt them down", or
  • as men arrive at the party, she notices some of them, and will later on "hunt them down".