# hot on someone's heels

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/hot-on-someones-heels
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Close behind; pursuing or following closely.

## Examples

- The dog was hot on my heels the whole way home.
- The police were hot on the thief's heels as he ran through the narrow streets.
- No sooner had she secured the exclusive interview than rival journalists were hot on her heels, desperate for the same story.

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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.