hard on the heels of (someone or something)

hard on the heels of (someone or something)

1. Following close behind someone or something. Look, the cops are hard on the heels of the bank robbers! The new revelation comes hard on the heels of the previous scandal.
2. Close to overtaking a competitor. The one-time underdog is hard on the heels of the leading candidate.
See also: hard, heel, of, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

hard on the heels of something

or

hot on the heels of something

COMMON If one event follows hard on the heels of another or hot on the heels of another, one happens very quickly or immediately after another. The news comes hard on the heels of the appointment of their new chief executive. The visit follows hot on the heels of their season at the Edinburgh International Festival. Note: You can also say that one thing happens close on the heels of another. The meeting comes close on the heels of Chatterjee's offer to resign if the members were not happy with him.
See also: hard, heel, of, on, something
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • hard on the heels of something
  • be hard at it
  • in the end
  • hard by
  • come by
  • honestly
  • hard to come by
  • hard of hearing
  • not any hard feelings
  • knock oneself out