Go after, as mosquitoes

SWATAT

Think of a quick motion you might make with your hand to shoo away an annoying insect.

The clue plays on the phrase "go after," which can mean to chase or pursue—like swatting at mosquitoes. "Swat" is the action you take when going after them, and "at" is a preposition meaning toward or in the direction of. Together, they form "SWAT AT," which sounds like "swat at" but is written as one word in the answer. It’s a clever way to turn a common annoyance into a wordplay puzzle.