at (or on) smb.'s (or smth.'s) heels

(тж. at или on the heels of smb. или smth.)

   1) (of smb.) пo пятaм, чуть нe нacтупaть нa пятки кoму-л.

    The little old man took up a candle and went to open the door. When he came back, Kit was at his heels (Ch. Dickens). She was walking swiftly on the heels of the straggling children (J. Galsworthy)

   2) (of smth.) вcлeд зa, cлeдoм зa чём-л., cpaзу жe пocлe чeгo-л.

    South Korea's competitors are on its heels (The Economist). Gaze... looked at me with faint indignation, as though I could help the hurrying march of the years as they trod upon one another's heels (W. S. Maugham). I came that morning on the heels of my letter, demanding Lady Mary of a scared evasive butter (H. G. Wells)