| hard on the heels of something (hard) on the heels of (something) close behind or soon after something. The fighting came on the heels of even deadlier combat in a village ten miles to the north. Usage notes: usually used with the verbs come or follow and also used in the forms close on the heels of something or hot on the heels of something: The manager's resignation followed close on the heels of the hiring of a new chairman. |