At Someone’s Heels: To be immediately behind someone, often in a relentlessly pursuing manner.
On the Heels of: To follow something or someone closely in quick succession, not necessarily with the intent to catch up or surpass.
Related Terms:
- Hot on the trail: In close pursuit of someone or something.
- In someone’s wake: Following closely behind someone, often metaphorically.
- Nipping at the heels: To follow someone closely, often annoyingly or competitively.
Synonyms:
- Trailing: To follow behind.
- Shadowing: To follow someone closely and typically secretly.
- Pursuing: Following someone with the intent to overtake or apprehend.
Antonyms:
- Leading: To be in front or ahead of.
- Lagging: Falling behind or not keeping up.
- Preceding: Going before.
Humor-filled Quotes:
- “He’s always at my heels like my own personal bad luck! I swear, if I trip, he trips right behind me.”
- “She’s been nipping at my heels all week; it’s like having an extremely motivated puppy as your coworker.”
Proverbs:
- “Success follows in the footsteps of hard work and perseverance.”
- “Like a shadow that never leaves, troubles are often at our heels.”
Inspiration in Literature & Media:
- Book: “The Hound of the Baskervilles” by Arthur Conan Doyle – As the title suggests, a mysterious hound is closely following the lead characters.
- Movie: “Catch Me If You Can” – A perfect portrayal of relentless pursuit featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks.
- Song: “Every Breath You Take” by The Police – A song about someone being closely monitored, much like being at one’s heels.
- Poetry: Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” – The persistent tapping could symbolize an ever-present pursuit.
Thought-Provoking Farewell
Keep chasing your dreams and aspirations, even if they seem to be perpetually at your heels. The pursuit keeps life thrilling.
Sincerely, C.L. Chasertales
### Which of these phrases means to follow in quick succession?
- [ ] At someone's heels
- [x] On the heels of
- [ ] Shadowing
- [ ] Trailing
> **Explanation:** "On the heels of" means to follow closely in quick succession, not necessarily implying a chase. "At someone's heels" implies immediate pursuit.
### Which term implies annoyingly close pursuit?
- [ ] Trailing
- [ ] Following
- [x] Nipping at the heels
- [ ] Leading
> **Explanation:** "Nipping at the heels" often means following closely and competitively, sometimes annoyingly.
### True or False: 'At someone's heels' means leading them.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** It means to be immediately behind someone, often in pursuit.
### Which word is a synonym for following closely, usually secretly?
- [x] Shadowing
- [ ] Leading
- [ ] Preceding
- [ ] Lagging
> **Explanation:** "Shadowing" implies a discreet or covert form of following.
### Which phrase refers to trailing metaphorically in someone's wake?
- [ ] Hot on the trail
- [ ] In someone's heels
- [ ] Hot pursuits
- [x] In someone's wake
> **Explanation:** "In someone's wake" suggests following closely behind, often metaphorically.
