# hot on the trail

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/hot-on-the-trail
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Synonym of hot on someone's heels.

## Examples

- The police are hot on the trail of the thief.
- The detectives followed the clues all night and are now hot on the trail of the suspect.
- After weeks of meticulous investigation, the researchers believe they are finally hot on the trail of a breakthrough discovery that could change the field forever.

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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.