at heel

Related to at heel: Heel spur, heel pain

at (one's) heels

1. Following close behind someone, often in an annoying way. I'm a preschool teacher, so I've had toddlers at my heels all day. The interior designer can't get any work done with your puppy at her heels!
2. Close to overtaking a fellow competitor. The leading candidate should be concerned about the underdog at his heels. If she does poorly on this exam, she may lose the title of valedictorian to one of the students at her heels.
See also: heel
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

at (or to) heel

(of a dog) close to and slightly behind its owner.
Bring someone to heel , meaning ‘get someone under control and make them act subserviently’, is taken from this expression.
See also: heel
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • at (one's) heels
  • at someone's heels
  • at your heels
  • follow (someone or something) about
  • follow about
  • follow (someone or something) around
  • on (one's) heels
  • on heels
  • at/on somebody's heels
  • can't do anything with