j-m auf den Fersen sein/bleiben
Translation
to be hot on someone's heels, to be in hot pursuit of someone
Examples
Die Polizei ist dem Dieb dicht auf den Fersen.
The police are hot on the thief's heels.
Grammar Patterns
((sb.dat)) auf den Fersen sein to be on sb.'s heels Die Konkurrenz ist uns auf den Fersen.
Similar Words
Synonyms: j-n verfolgen (to pursue sb.), j-n jagen (to chase sb.)
Etymology
Literally 'on the heels'. 'Auf' means 'on' and 'Fersen' is the dative plural of 'Ferse' (heel).
Memory Tips
This is a direct parallel to the English idiom 'to be on someone's heels'. Imagine a chase where the pursuer is so close they could step on the other person's heels.