breathe down (one's) neck

breathe down (one's) neck

1. To monitor someone closely, usually in an overbearing and irritating way. I just got another email from the boss asking about the status of this report, as if breathing down my neck is going to make me finish it faster!
2. To be physically close to someone in an unnerving or unwanted way. Back up, dude—I'll never make this shot with you breathing down my neck!
See also: breathe, down, neck
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

breathe down someone's neck

 
1. Fig. to keep close watch on someone; to watch someone's activities intently. (Alludes to someone standing very close behind a person.) I can't work with you breathing down my neck all the time. Go away. I will get through my life without your help. Stop breathing down my neck.
2. Fig. [for someone or something] to represent an approaching deadline. The project deadline is breathing down my neck. The due date for this paper is breathing down my neck.
See also: breathe, down, neck
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

breathe down someone's neck

1. Pursue someone closely; pose a threat to one, as in The immigration authorities were breathing down his neck. [Mid-1900s]
2. Watch or supervise someone very closely, as in The boss is always breathing down our necks. [Mid-1900s]
See also: breathe, down, neck
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

breathe down someone's neck

1 constantly check up on someone. 2 follow closely behind someone.
See also: breathe, down, neck
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

breathe down somebody’s ˈneck

(informal) watch somebody too closely, and so make them feel uncomfortable: I can’t work with people breathing down my neck the whole time.
See also: breathe, down, neck
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

breathe down (someone's) neck

1. To threaten by proximity, especially by pursuing closely.
2. To watch or monitor closely, often annoyingly: The boss was breathing down my neck all morning.
See also: breathe, down, neck
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • breathe down neck
  • breathe down somebody's neck
  • breathe down someone's neck
  • be breathing down (one's) neck
  • be breathing down someone's neck
  • bozo filter
  • gripe to (someone or something)
  • gripe to (someone or something) about (someone or something)
  • Eat me!
  • nudge (someone or something) (somewhere)