chaser

A "chaser" isn't always someone running after you! While it often describes a pursuer—like a police car in a high-speed chase—it also has a very common place at the bar. After taking a shot of strong spirits, many people reach for a "chaser," such as water, soda, or beer, to wash down the harsh taste and cut the burn. More broadly, the word can describe a person who relentlessly goes after something (a goal, a trend, a lead) or a follow-up that comes right after the main event. You might even use it playfully, like having a sweet snack as a "chaser" to balance out the heat of a particularly spicy meal.

The word "chaser" captures the essence of sequence and pursuit. At its most literal, it refers to an individual or vehicle in pursuit of another; for instance, a detective might be described as a "tenacious chaser of leads." This sense of relentless following extends to figurative language, where a "dream chaser" is someone who tirelessly hunts their ambitions, refusing to give up until they catch them.

In social settings, "chaser" most frequently refers to a milder beverage consumed immediately after a shot of hard liquor. If you follow a shot of whiskey with a sip of ginger ale, the soda is your chaser. Beyond the bar, the term appears in the world of sports: in horse racing, a "chaser" (short for steeplechaser) is a horse specifically trained to race over obstacles like fences and ditches.

The word also shows up in everyday phrases for people who pursue something with too much enthusiasm: an "ambulance chaser" is a lawyer who seeks out accident victims for business, and a "skirt chaser" is someone who constantly pursues romantic or sexual partners.

Finally, there is a technical side to the term: in metalworking, a chaser is a tool used for cutting, cleaning, or finishing screw threads. Whether it is a literal pursuit, a drink that takes the edge off, a type of racehorse, or a specialized tool, a "chaser" is defined by its relationship to what came before it—it is the persistent "second act" that follows the lead with intention.