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The heel may be a much neglected part of the body but its importance is undeniable, not only for the body but also for the language. One’s Achilles’ heel: a fault in a person or a system that may cause them to fail. His inability to tell his friends from his foes is his Achilles’ heel. Bring someone to heel: make someone obey orders; bring someone under control. The new principal is very strict. He will bring the undisciplined students to heel. Cool your heels: have to wait; be kept waiting. The doctor hadn’t arrived, so I had to cool my heels in his waiting room for almost two hours. Take to your heels: run away quickly. The robbers took to their heels as soon as they heard the sirens of the approaching police vans. At someone’s heels: following someone very closely 2) very close to defeating a competitor. Shah Rukh Khan came out of the airport with a throng of fans at his heels, requesting him to sign their autograph books. She is still the number one tennis star but her younger sister is at her heels. Dig your heels: refuse to do what other people are trying to persuade you to do, especially to refuse to change your opinions or plans. I wanted to go for a picnic, but my sister dug her heels in and insisted that we watch a movie. Hard/hot on someone’s heels of something: happening very soon after something. A promotion came hard on the heels of her landing a prestigious project for her company. Be head over heels (in love): to be very much in love with someone, especially in the beginning of a relationship. He fell head over heels in love with her when he saw her at a party. Drag your feet/heels: deal with something slowly because you do not really want to do it. The government has been dragging its heels on the issue of reservation for women. (Reference: Cambridge International Dictionary of Idioms) |
