Synonyms

out at the heels

[heel] Origin

heel

1[heel]
noun
1.
the back part of the human foot, below and behind the ankle.
2.
an analogous part in other vertebrates.
3.
either hind foot or hoof of some animals, as the horse.
4.
the foot as a whole: He was hung by the heels.
5.
the part of a stocking, shoe, or the like covering the back part of the wearer's foot.
EXPAND
6.
a solid, raised base or support of leather, wood, rubber, etc., attached to the sole of a shoe or boot under the back part of the foot.
7.
heels, high-heeled shoes.
8.
something resembling the back part of the human foot in position, shape, etc.: a heel of bread.
9.
the rear of the palm, adjacent to the wrist.
10.
the latter or concluding part of anything: the heel of a session.
11.
the lower end of any of various more or less vertical objects, as rafters, spars, or the sternposts of vessels.
12.
Nautical.
a.
the after end of a keel.
b.
the inner end of a bowsprit or jib boom.
13.
the crook in the head of a golf club.
14.
Building Trades. the exterior angle of an angle iron.
15.
Railroads. the end of a frog farthest from a switch.
16.
Horticulture. the base of any part, as of a cutting or tuber, that is removed from a plant for use in the propagation of that plant.
COLLAPSE
verb (used with object)
17.
to follow at the heels of; chase closely.
18.
to furnish with heels, as shoes.
19.
to perform (a dance) with the heels.
20.
Golf. to strike (the ball) with the heel of the club.
21.
to arm (a gamecock) with spurs.

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Out at the heels is always a great word to know.
So is interrobang. Does it mean:
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question.
verb (used without object)
22.
(of a dog) to follow at one's heels on command.
23.
to use the heels, as in dancing.
24.
heel in, to cover temporarily (the roots and most of the stem of a plant) with soil prior to permanent planting.
25.
at one's heels, close behind one: The police are at his heels. Also, at heel.
26.
cool one's heels, to be kept waiting, especially because of deliberate discourtesy: The producer let the actors who were waiting to be auditioned cool their heels in the outer office.
27.
down at the heels, having a shabby, slipshod, or slovenly appearance. Also, down at heel, down at the heel, out at heels, out at the heels.
28.
his heels, Cribbage. a jack turned up as a starter, counting two points for the dealer.
29.
kick up one's heels, to have a vigorously entertaining time; frolic: Grandfather could still kick up his heels now and then.
EXPAND
30.
lay by the heels,
a.
to arrest and imprison.
b.
to prevail over; render ineffectual: Superior forces laid the invaders by the heels.
31.
on/upon the heels of, closely following; in quick succession of: On the heels of the hurricane came an outbreak of looting.
32.
show a clean pair of heels, to leave one's pursuers or competitors behind; outrun: The thief showed his victim a clean pair of heels. Also, show one's heels to.
33.
take to one's heels, to run away; take flight: The thief took to his heels as soon as he saw the police.
34.
to heel,
a.
close behind: The dog followed the hunter to heel.
b.
under control or subjugation: The attackers were brought swiftly to heel.
COLLAPSE

Origin:
before 850; Middle English; Old English hēl(a); cognate with Dutch hiel, Old Norse hǣll. See hock1

heel·less, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To out at the heels
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

heel
"contemptible person," 1914 in U.S. underworld slang, originally "incompetent or worthless criminal," probably from a sense of "person in the lowest position."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

heel (hēl)
n.

  1. The rounded posterior portion of the foot under and behind the ankle.

  2. A similar anatomical part, such as the rounded base of the palm.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Slang Dictionary

heel definition


  1. n.
    a low and despicable man. : The guy is a heel, and he seems to work at it, too.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
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