At someone’s heels
also, on someone’s heels . immediately behind, in close pursuit. this idiom is used both literally, as in jean’s dog was always at her heels , and figuratively, as in although his company dominated the technology, he always felt that his compet-tors were on his heels . this idiom appeared in the 14th-century romance sir gawain and the green knight . the expression is sometimes intensified as hard on someone’s heels or hot on someone’s heels . also see on the heels of
Read Also:
- At someone's request
on being asked to do something, as in at my request they’ll move us to another room, or i’m speaking at his request. [ 1300s ] also see: by request
- At someone's mercy
see: at the mercy of
- At someone's service
an act of helpful activity; help; aid: to do someone a service. the supplying or supplier of utilities or commodities, as water, electricity, or gas, required or demanded by the public. the providing or a provider of accommodation and activities required by the public, as maintenance, repair, etc.: the manufacturer guarantees service and parts. the […]
- At-stud
a studhorse or stallion. an establishment, as a farm, in which horses are kept for breeding. a number of horses, usually for racing or hunting, bred or kept by one owner. a male animal, as a bull or ram, kept for breeding. a herd of animals kept for breeding. slang. a man, especially one who […]
- At sword's point
also, at swords’ points. antagonistic, hostile, as in father and son were at swords’ points. dating from the days when swords were used to settle quarrels, the idiom today generally signifies only a bitter quarrel.