Phrase guide

on the heels of

prep · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

prep

Meaning 1

In close pursuit of; close behind.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep

Meaning 2

Closely following; in succession immediately after.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, usually

Qualifier: facts

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: sur les traces de — in close pursuit of
  • French: juste après — in close pursuit of
  • French: aussitôt après — in close pursuit of
  • Polish: po piętach — in close pursuit of
  • Polish: na piętach — in close pursuit of
  • Portuguese: no encalço — in close pursuit of
  • Russian: наступа́я на пя́тки (nastupája na pjátki) — in close pursuit of
  • Russian: по пятам (po pjatam) — in close pursuit of
  • Swedish: hack i häl — in close pursuit of