# breathe down someone's neck

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/breathe-down-someones-neck
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To follow or supervise someone too closely, causing discomfort for that person.

## Examples

- My boss breathes down my neck all day long.
- I cannot finish this report properly because my manager keeps breathing down my neck every five minutes.
- The young apprentice found it impossible to concentrate on his delicate work while the master craftsman stood over him, constantly breathing down his neck.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.