chasing M's

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiominformalslang

   Trying hard to get a lot of money, especially as your main goal in life.

   Grammar: Used as an -ing phrase, usually after be: "He's chasing M's." It has no object; the money is understood, not named.

   Patterns

   • be chasing M's
   • spend your time chasing M's
   • stop chasing M's

   He dropped out of college and spent two years chasing M's in the city.

   All she talks about is chasing M's, but she never seems happier.

   They moved to Dubai chasing M's and came home exhausted.

2. 2phraseidiominformaldisapproving

   Working mainly for quick profit, often in a way that looks greedy or shallow.

   Grammar: Said critically about someone's motives; it describes an ongoing activity, so it keeps the -ing form.

   Patterns

   • be all about chasing M's
   • get tired of chasing M's

   The label is all about chasing M's now, not about the music.

   After years of chasing M's, he sold the business and went back to teaching.

   Critics say the whole industry is just chasing M's.

Common combinations

be chasing M's

He's been chasing M's since he was nineteen.

all about chasing M's

Their new album is all about chasing M's and losing friends.

stop chasing M's

She told him to stop chasing M's and enjoy his life.

spend your life chasing M's

He spent his life chasing M's and forgot his family.

tired of chasing M's

I'm tired of chasing M's for other people.

Synonyms and how they differ

money-hungry

An adjective describing a person who wants money too much; it describes the person, while chasing M's describes the activity.

on the grind

Informal and closer to working hard nonstop; it does not necessarily suggest that money is the only goal.

money-chasing

A more neutral, descriptive adjective; chasing M's sounds more slangy and more disapproving.

Commonly confused: chasing M's or chasing ems?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “chasing M's”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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