track down

British  

verb

1. (tr, adverb) to find by tracking or pursuing

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track down Idioms  

1. Follow successfully, locate, as in I've been trying to track down that book but haven't had any luck. This term alludes to the literal use of track, “follow the footsteps of.” [Second half of 1800s]

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Example Sentences

The incident began at about 5:20 p.m. on April 8, 2025, when police responded to a request for help from the California Highway Patrol in tracking down three suspects wanted in a hit-and-run crash.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s all part of Underwood’s plan to track down the best basketball players in the world—anywhere in the world—and unleash them on the heartland of college basketball.

From The Wall Street Journal

Two years ago, Jack Lang of The Athletic, external tracked down a once-teenage Brazilian prodigy dubbed 'The Little Seal', now 38 enjoying a quiet life coaching kids in North Carolina.

From BBC

“You said there are thirty-four names. Running around Baltimore trying to track down thirty-four families… it’s scattershot. And it would take forever.”

From Literature

Guess was eventually tracked down to Lincolnshire and arrested last year.

From BBC