英语词汇“heel”的英英意思、用法、释义、翻译、读音、例句、短语、词组-英语词典

单词

heel

释义

heel¹ nounheel² verb

heelheel1 /hiːl/ noun [countable]

MENU FOR heelheel1 of your foot2 of a shoe3 of a sock4 of your hand5 heels6 at somebody’s heels7 (hard/hot/close) on the heels of something8 bring somebody to heel9 come to heel10 take to your heels11 turn/spin on your heel12 under the heel of somebody/something13 bad man

WORD ORIGINheel1

Origin:

Old English hæla

EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES

Mary found a pair of black pumps with three-inch heels and silver buckles.

EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS

Hard, through the heel of my thumb.
He gets the goods, but he feels like a heel.
He then handed her the turtle, turned on his heels and walked off.
It is projected to hit $ 1. 17 billion in 1996 sales, nipping at the heels of Sega and Nintendo.
Suddenly, the boar had been faced with a cliff too steep to climb and had turned on its heel.
The woollen choirboy under my heel!
This season Gwynn often has been hindered by an inflamed heel, intensifying speculation that his weight is an issue.

Longman Language Activatorto happen after something else► follow

especially written if an event or period follows another event or period, it happens after it: · We saw each other a lot in the months that followed.· the long period of stability that followed the warbe followed by something: · The wedding was followed by a big party at the Chelsea Hotel.· Suddenly there was a shout from above, immediately followed by a loud bang.be closely followed by something (=be followed very soon by): · China's first nuclear test in October 1964 was closely followed by a second in May 1965.there followed/follows (=after that there was): · There then followed a long and painful silence.

► come after

to happen after something else and often as a result of something else: come after something: · The agreement came after six months of negotiations.· The Napoleonic Wars came after the French Revolution.come three weeks/five days etc after something: · My first chance to talk to her came three days after our quarrel.come after: · The New Stone Age lasted about 1200 years in Britain. The period which came after is known as the Bronze Age.

► ensue

formal if something such as an argument or a fight ensues , it happens after something else, often as a result of it: · I objected to what he had just said and a heated argument then ensued.· The police were called in to quell the riot that ensued.

► on the heels of something

especially American if something comes on the heels of something else, it happens very soon after it -- used especially in news reports: come on the heels of something: · The news comes on the heels of the FBI's announcement that last week's crash was caused by mechanical failure.hot/hard on the heels of something British (=immediately after something): · Tuesday's victory came hard on the heels of last week's shock defeat by Manchester United.

► in the wake of something

if something, especially something bad, happens in the wake of an event, it happens after it and usually as a result of it: · In the wake of Thailand's economic troubles, Malaysia's currency also sank.

to escape from somewhere where you are in danger► escape

to get away from a place, country etc where you are in danger, especially when it is difficult to do this because someone is trying to catch you or stop you leaving: · Only four people managed to escape before the roof collapsed.· The refugees have crossed miles of desert to escape civil war and famine.escape from: · Josie managed to escape from her attacker and call the police.escape into/through/over etc: · Some people were able to escape over the border into Tanzania.· When the army began killing civilians in the town, he was able to escape through the jungle.

► get out

to escape from a place or country when there is a serious risk that something bad will happen very soon: · Eventually we realized there was no way of getting out.· A few people managed to get out before the government crackdown.get out of: · All US tourists and journalists are being advised to get out of the country as soon as possible.get out alive: · The whole building was on fire - we were lucky to get out alive!

► run away/run off

to try to escape from someone by running away: · Don't run away - I'm not going to hurt you.· Delia managed to get away from the man and ran off screaming.run away/run off from: · If you run away from the bull, it's almost certain to attack you.run away/run off into/down/across etc: · He jumped out of the car and ran off into the woods.

► bolt

to suddenly run away very quickly, as soon as you have a chance, especially because you are very frightened: · One of the horses got into a panic and bolted.· When police approached him to ask him some questions, he bolted.bolt across/into/out etc: · Before I could say a word, she turned and bolted out the front door.

► run for it/make a run for it

informal to suddenly run away very quickly because you are in danger of being caught, especially when you are doing something illegal: · Somebody's coming. Quick, run for it.· There's no way we can beat them - we're going to have to make a run for it.

► flee

to escape as quickly as possible because you are in great danger - used especially in newspapers: · When police arrived, the two men fled.flee from/to/into etc: · Most of the women there were Somalis fleeing from the civil war.· Up to five million political refugees have fled to other countries.flee the country/the city etc: · Rollins tried to flee the country but was stopped at the airport.

► make your escape

to escape from a place or a dangerous situation, especially when you do this quickly and secretly, as soon as you have a chance: · He made his escape by climbing through the window and down the fire escape.· The hostages spent days waiting for the opportunity to make their escape.

► take to your heels

to escape by running away very quickly - used especially in stories: · The kids immediately took to their heels as Mrs Brewster appeared around the corner.· He jumped off the train, took to his heels, and was quickly out of sight.

► break free/break away

to escape from someone who is holding you: · She wanted to break away, but his grip was too strong.· With a violent twist he broke free and ran out of the room.break free/break away from: · Then Tammy broke free from Judd and ran for the door screaming.

► bail out

to escape from an aircraft that is going to crash: · The pilot bailed out of the aircraft just in time and was only slightly injured.

when someone accidentally falls from a standing position► fall

to accidentally fall from a standing position: · She was going up the stairs when she fell.· George held on tightly, afraid that he might fall.fall down the stairs/steps etc: · There was concern for the Queen Mother yesterday after she fell down a short flight of steps at the airport.

► fall over/down

to fall onto the ground from a standing position: · Ben fell down and scraped his knee.· Beginning skiers can expect to fall down a lot.· The pavement was slippery and it was easy to fall over.

► have a fall

British if someone, especially an old person, has a fall , they fall and hurt themselves: · My neighbour has had a fall and broken a rib.· Grandma had a bad fall in the snow that winter.

► tumble

to fall quickly down a slope or down stairs, rolling over and over and unable to stop: tumble down/off/into etc: · She tumbled down the stairs and landed in a heap at the bottom.· A bus veered off the road and tumbled down the hill into the river below.

► fall flat on your face

to fall over suddenly so that you are lying on your front on the ground, especially in a way that makes you look funny: · She fell flat on her face getting out of the car.· The last time I wore high-heeled shoes I fell flat on my face outside a restaurant.

► collapse

to fall suddenly and heavily onto the ground, into a chair etc, because of tiredness, illness, or injury: · One of the horses collapsed from exhaustion after the race.collapse on: · Cohen was hospitalized after he collapsed on the floor and briefly lost consciousness.collapse into: · Milligan collapsed into a chair, sighing deeply.

► keel over

to suddenly fall to the ground, because you are ill or have had a shock: · She'd been complaining of a headache all morning, and suddenly she just keeled over.· Carson keeled over and died in front of the nightclub after taking a number of illegal drugs.

► go head over heels

to fall forward with so much force that you roll over: · She slipped on the polished floor and went head over heels.· Shelly's horse stepped into soft sand and went down, horse and rider going head over heels in a cloud of dust.

to follow a person or animal quickly in order to catch them► run after

to run or walk quickly behind someone in order to catch them or talk to them, when they are going away from you: · A group of little boys ran after him to ask for his autograph.· She's left her briefcase. Quick! Run after her!

► chase

to run after someone in order to catch them, when they are trying to escape from you: · I didn't have the energy to chase him any more.chase somebody across/up/down etc something: · The farmer chased the children across the field.chase after: · We chased after him for about five blocks but then we lost him and had to turn back.

► pursue

especially written to chase someone in a very determined way - used especially in stories and news reports: · Police pursued the gunman into an abandoned building.· The ship was being pursued by enemy submarines.

► in pursuit

if you are in pursuit of someone, you chase them because you want to catch them -- used especially in stories and news reports: · The robbers sped off in a stolen car with three police vehicles in pursuit.in pursuit of: · Cheng raced through a crowded shopping mall in pursuit of the man who had grabbed her purse.in hot pursuit: · A deer suddenly sprang across the road, with a pack of hunting dogs in hot pursuit.

► be on/at somebody's heels

written to follow very closely behind someone who is trying to escape from you, especially when you want to catch or attack them - used especially in stories: · The rebels headed for the border but government troops were still at their heels.be hard/hot/close on somebody's heels: · Just 15 minutes into the race Lawson was already hot on the champion's heels.on/at somebody's heels: · He rushed out of the theatre with a pack of reporters at his heels.

► go after

to follow someone quickly especially because you want to talk to them: · Don't go after him now. Let him calm down first.

► give chase

to start to chase someone who is trying to escape from you - used especially in stories and descriptions: · Police spotted the car speeding on Dumbarton Bridge and quickly gave chase.

to turn your head or your body► turn

to turn your head or body so that you are looking in a different direction: · Campbell turned and walked out of the room.turn to: · "What do you think we should do?" she said, turning to her husband.turn to do something: · She heard the door opening and turned to see who was coming in.

► turn around

also turn round British to turn your body so that you are looking in the opposite direction: · Ian, turn round and face the front!· I turned around quickly to see if anyone was following me.· "Does my dress look OK?" "Turn around and let me see the back."

► turn away

to turn so that you are no longer facing someone, especially because you want to avoid them: · Alice turned away with tears in her eyes.· The scene was so sickening I had to turn away.turn away from: · She frowned and turned away from him without speaking.

► turn your back

to turn so that you are no longer facing someone, especially because you are angry or disappointed, or because you are deliberately ignoring them: · As soon as I turn my back, the children start to misbehave.turn your back on: · Don't turn your back on me - I'm talking to you!· She turned her back on him and began to walk away.

► turn your head

to turn your head in order to look at someone or in order to look away from someone: · She turned her head to avoid making eye contact with the beggar.· Whenever Suzie walks into a room all the men immediately turn their heads.

► turn on your heel

to quickly and suddenly turn, especially before walking away: · David angrily turned on his heel and marched towards the door.· When her ex-husband entered the room, she turned on her heel and left.

► swing around

also swing round British to turn around suddenly and quickly, especially because you are angry or surprised: · He swung around at the sound of her voice and smiled at her.· I felt a hand on my shoulder and swung round quickly to find Chris standing behind me.

► spin around

also spin round British to turn around very quickly, especially because you are angry or because something unexpected has suddenly happened: · The sudden crash made her spin round and look back down the passage.· Dobbs yelled back and spun around with clenched fists, ready to fight.

► swivel

to turn around quickly as if you are fixed to a central point, or when you are sitting in a chair which can turn round: · Ralph swivelled in his chair and looked directly at Meg.swivel aroundalso + round British: · Mr Tench swivelled round in astonishment as the men burst through his office door.

WORD SETS► Human

AB, nounabdomen, nounaccommodation, nounAchilles tendon, nounAdam's apple, nounadaptation, nounadenoids, nounadrenalin, nounairway, nounambidextrous, adjectiveanatomical, adjectiveankle, nounantibody, nounantigen, nounanus, nounanvil, nounaorta, nounappendix, nounarch, nounarmpit, nounarterial, adjectiveartery, nounatrium, nounbaby tooth, nounback, nounbackbone, nounbandy, adjectivebarrel-chested, adjectivebeat, verbbelly, nounbelly button, nounbicep, nounbig toe, nounbikini line, nounbile, nounbiological clock, nounbiorhythms, nounbiped, nounbladder, nounblind spot, nounblink, verbblink, nounblood count, nounblood group, nounblood pressure, nounbloodstream, nounblood type, nounblood vessel, nounBO, nounbody clock, nounbody odour, nounbone, nounbone marrow, nounbowel, nounbow legs, nounbrain, nounbrainwave, nounbreast, nounbreastbone, nounbristly, adjectivebronchial, adjectivebronchial tube, nounbrow, nounbuck teeth, nounbullnecked, adjectiveburp, verbbust, nounbuttock, nouncanine, nouncapillary, nouncardiac, adjectivecardio-, prefixcardiovascular, adjectivecarotid artery, nouncartilage, nouncentral nervous system, nouncerebellum, nouncerebral, adjectivecervical, adjectivecervix, nounchamber, nounchange of life, nouncheek, nouncheekbone, nounchest, nounchin, nouncirculation, nounclavicle, nouncleavage, nounclitoris, nounclose-set, adjectivecoccyx, nouncochlea, nouncock, nouncollarbone, nouncolon, nouncolour, nouncolour-blind, adjectiveconception, nouncone, nounconnective tissue, nouncoordination, nouncornea, nouncortex, nouncough, verbcough, nouncowlick, nouncranium, nouncrook, verbcrotch, nouncrow's feet, nouncrutch, nouncry, verbcuticle, noundandruff, noundeep-set, adjectivedefecate, verbdefence mechanism, noundental, adjectivedentine, nounderrière, noundiaphragm, noundigit, noundigital, adjectivedimple, noundisc, noundominant, adjectivedouble-jointed, adjectivedribble, verbdrool, verbduct, nounduodenum, nounear, nouneardrum, nounearhole, nounegg, nounejaculate, verbelbow, nounenamel, nounendocrine, adjectiveentrails, nounepidermis, nounepiglottis, nounerect, adjectiveerection, nounerogenous zone, nounexcrement, nounexcreta, nounexcrete, verbexcretion, nounexpectorate, verbextremity, nouneye, nouneyebrow, nouneyelash, nouneyelid, nouneyesight, nouneye tooth, nounface, nounfallopian tube, nounfart, verbfart, nounfemur, nounfibre, nounfibula, nounfigure, nounfingernail, nounfingertip, nounfist, nounfive o'clock shadow, nounflat-chested, adjectivefoetal position, nounfolic acid, nounfollicle, nounforearm, nounforefinger, nounforehead, nounforeskin, nounframe, nounfunny bone, noungall bladder, noungallstone, noungastric, adjectivegenital, adjectivegenitals, noungland, nounglottis, noungonad, noungrey matter, noungroin, nounG-spot, noungullet, noungum, nounhair, nounhairless, adjectivehairy, adjectivehammer, nounhamstring, nounhand, nounhand-eye co-ordination, nounhandlebar moustache, nounhead, nounheart, nounheel, nounhiccup, nounhiccup, verbhip, nounHomo sapiens, nounhumerus, nounhymen, nounimmune, adjectiveimmune system, nounimmunity, nouninbred, adjectiveincisor, nounindex finger, nouninherit, verbinstep, nounintestine, nounin vitro fertilization, nouniris, nounIVF, nounjaw, nounjawbone, nounjowl, nounkidney, nounknee, nounknee cap, nounknuckle, nounlap, nounlarge intestine, nounlarynx, nounlash, nounlaugh lines, nounlaughter lines, nounleft-handed, adjectivelefty, nounlens, nounlid, nounlifeblood, nounligament, nounlip, nounlittle finger, nounliver, nounlobe, nounlong-sighted, adjectivelumbar, adjectivelung, nounlymph, nounlymph node, nounmammary, adjectivemammary gland, nounmanual, adjectivemarrow, nounmasticate, verbmatrix, nounmelanin, nounmelatonin, nounmember, nounmenopause, nounmenses, nounmenstrual, adjectivemenstrual period, nounmenstruate, verbmiddle ear, nounmiddle finger, nounmidget, nounmidriff, nounmilk tooth, nounmind, nounmolar, nounmucous membrane, nounmuscle, nounnail, nounnape, nounnasal, adjectivenavel, nounnervous, adjectiveneurology, nounneuron, nounniacin, nounnipple, nounnode, nounnodule, nounnostril, nounocular, adjectiveoesophagus, nounoral, adjectiveovary, nounoverbite, nounoviduct, nounpalate, nounpalm, nounpalpitate, verbpalpitations, nounpancreas, nounpassage, nounpatella, nounpectorals, nounpelvic, adjectivepelvis, nounpenetrate, verbpepsin, nounperiod, nounperiod pain, nounperspiration, nounperspire, verbphallus, nounpharynx, nounphlegm, nounphysical, adjectivephysiognomy, nounphysiology, nounphysique, nounpigeon-toed, adjectivepit, nounpituitary, nounplacenta, nounplasma, nounplatelet, nounpore, nounpotbelly, nounpremenstrual, adjectiveprepubescent, adjectivepressure point, nounprimal, adjectiveprivate parts, nounprognathous, adjectiveprostate, nounpuberty, nounpubescent, adjectivepubic, adjectivepudendum, nounpulmonary, adjectivepulp, nounpulse, nounpupil, nounquad, nounquadruplet, nounquin, nounquintuplet, nounradius, nounreceptor, nounrecessive, adjectiverectal, adjectiverectum, nounred blood cell, nounREM sleep, nounrenal, adjectiveretina, nounRhesus factor, nounRH factor, nounrib, nounrib cage, nounright, adjectiveright-handed, adjectiveright-hander, nounrigor mortis, nounring finger, nounrod, nounRoman nose, nounround-shouldered, adjectiverun, verbsalivary gland, nounsallow, adjectivescalp, nounscaly, adjectivescapula, nounsciatic, adjectivescrotum, nounsemen, nounseminal, adjectivesense, nounsense organ, nounsensory, adjectivesextuplet, nounshank, nounshin, nounshinbone, nounshoulder, nounshoulder blade, nounside, nounsinew, nounsinus, nounskeletal, adjectiveskull, nounsleep, verbsleep, nounsmall intestine, nounsneeze, verbsneeze, nounsnub nose, nounsnub-nosed, adjectivesoft palate, nounsolar plexus, nounsole, nounsphincter, nounspinal, adjectivespinal column, nounspine, nounspit, verbspit, nounspittle, nounspleen, nounspotty, adjectivesputum, nounsternum, nounsteroid, nounstirrup, nounstomach, nounstool, nounstubble, nounsubcutaneous, adjectivesuck, verbsuckle, verbsuckling, nounsweat gland, nounsystem, nountailbone, nountan, verbtan, nountanned, adjectivetarsus, nountartar, nountaste bud, nountear, nounteardrop, nounteat, nountemple, nountendon, nountestes, nountesticle, nountestis, nountestosterone, nounthickset, adjectivethigh, nounthorax, nounthroat, nounthumb, nounthumbnail, nounthyroid, nountibia, nounticklish, adjectivetoe, nountoenail, nountongue, nountonsil, nountooth, nountorso, nountouch, nountrachea, nountriceps, nountrunk, nountympanum, nounulna, nounumbilical cord, nounurethra, nounuterus, nounuvula, nounvagina, nounvascular, adjectivevein, nounvenous, adjectiveventricle, nounvessel, nounvestibule, nounvital, adjectivevocal cords, nounvoice box, nounvulva, nounwaist, nounwall-eyed, adjectivewax, nounwhite, nounwhite blood cell, nounwindpipe, nounwisdom tooth, nounwomb, nounwrinkle, verbwrist, nounyawn, verbyawn, noun

COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY► high-heeled/low-heeled/flat-heeled etc

her low-heeled blue shoes

► wore heels

Whenever she wore heels she was taller than the men she worked with.

► came ... on the heels of

The decision to buy Peters came hard on the heels of the club’s promotion to Division One.

COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES► click your heels

(=hit the heels of your shoes together, as a soldier does)· He clicked his heels and saluted.

► come/follow close on the heels of something

Yet another scandal followed close on the heels of the senator’s resignation.

► the heel of your foot

(=the curved back part of your foot)· He kicked his opponent with the heel of his foot.

► killer heels

(=women’s shoes with very high heels)

► head over heels in love

(=very much in love)· The two of them fell head over heels in love.

► high-heeled shoes

· You can’t walk round town all day in high-heeled shoes!

► turned on her heel

Brigitte glared at him, turned on her heel (=turned away suddenly because of anger), and stomped out of the room.

COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE► clean

· In a separate incident, Ferguson also showed Irvine a clean pair of heels.

► close

· With another couple of laps he might have finished close on the heels of the two Dunlops.

► hard

· But the law was hard on their heels.· His partner meanwhile, burst into the room, pistol in hand, the stammerer hard on his heels.· He was jailed for four and a half years in December, hard on the heels of another shyster, Jack Bennett.· Then the click of its stopping, the hard heels on bare boards.· Thank goodness you've rescued me, she thought, yet hard on the heels of her relief came dismay.

► head

· I gripped the banister and swung myself head over heels, then came out on the roof of a tower.· Or else she's head over heels in debt.

► high

· Invariably our toes are unnaturally cramped into odd-shaped shoes and the feet raised because we choose to teeter around in high heels!· Have yourself dropped off in your high heels in front of the restaurant.· She wore impossibly high heels, yet she was still only eye to eye with Virginia in her bare feet.· She wore brown leather shoes with pointed toes and high heels.· With high heels she stood at least an inch over me.· Masha, in a comfortable chair, kicked off her high heels and drew her legs under her flower-patterned skirt.· Try drag-you know, high heels and makeup...

► hot

· Young Laura is hot on the heels of her brothers.· Critique followed hot on the heels of this pioneering work.· It comes hot on the heels of the C5 saloon we showed you last week.· Merchants followed hot on their heels selling fabrics and other manufactured goods in exchange for copra oil.· Conversely, victory for Bath leaves them very much in the title hunt, hot on the heels of Leicester.

► left

· And there are still traces of mud at the sides as well as under the left heel.· He walked with a lilting gait, his left Achilles tendon apparently shortened, pulling his left heel up.· My left heel was being rubbed by a piece of leather.

► low

· Stand with the feet together and slowly raise up on tiptoes, then lower the heels down again.· Among the tips: Wear a conservative, navy blue suit, a white blouse, low heels and no flashy jewelry.· Shoes with thick soles and low heels are to be recommended for walking round the centre of Funchal.· The fashion for the gentler Nineties is generally for lower heels.· That's fine, because there are lots of shoes in the shops with low heels to choose from.· Black tights, black low heels.

► right

· I had to fold my leg sideways so I could use my right heel to rest my left foot against.· Cornerback Larry Brown did not suit up because of lingering pain in his right heel.· Brown has been bothered by torn tissue in his right heel since early in training camp.

NOUN► spike

· Marie said and hung up quickly as Astrid teetered back into the office on her gold spike heels.

► stiletto

· Popular songs and stiletto heels are examples.· In the interests of conservation, stiletto heels are not permitted in the house.

VERB► click

· He clicked his heels and bowed briefly towards a beautiful Eurasian girl.· The Daughter clicked her heels, and made a pass, lunging forwards.· A couple strolled past on clicking heels which echoed from one side of the road to the other.· I want to click my heels, I want to clench my fist: Yes.· A sergeant hurried forward and clicked his heels.

► cool

· He was ushered forward after cooling his heels for four minutes.· Basically, if you believe the law of averages, 1996 should be a year for mutual funds to cool their heels.· Our sources, who are cooling their heels waiting for chips, continue to think Intel is having problems making the parts.· As things turned out, I had a week to cool my heels in New York.· If a man was workshy and mutinous I would put him in a cell to cool his heels for a while.· His office says he has kept at least 20 top-flight journalists and analysts cooling their heels waiting to interview him since October.

► dig

· Firstly, there are clearly some issues where member states are beginning to dig in their heels.· After he organized a dozen files, Manion dug in his heels and started his workday.· Whether it can persuade the Government to dig in its heels over this issue looks very uncertain.· I dig my heels into the sandy soil of the path.· The others in the case became upset and dug in their heels about changing their minds.· He argued with me but never dug in his heels.· I had to dig my heels in to stay steady.· Gail dug in her heels under attack.

► digging

· Liz yanked at her arm, and she stumbled a few steps, digging in her heels.

► drag

· The council was informed about the anniversary two years ago but has dragged its heels over putting it on any agenda.· Too easy to fall off and be dragged around by the heel.· On this occasion, their leaders have dragged their heels at every stage, without giving any of the ideas a chance.· Coming back I was exhausted, dragging my heels through a four-inch snow.· The truth could be that they are dragging their heels in processing these requests which makes it appear that way.· Presidential spokesman Park Joon-young denied that the government was dragging its heels.· They went up the track with Piper dragging his heels like a recalcitrant child.· No doubt we can drag our heels pretty effectively if we really try.

► follow

· The overhaul follows hard on the heels of increased charges earlier this year.· For this young woman, one tragedy followed on the heels of another.· This 17-track album follows on the heels of the latest Levi's ad, but it's a pretty lazy compilation.· There will be some serious disillusion to follow on the heels of the euphoria of freedom.· Then it seemed that the consummation would follow soon on the heels of its inauguration.

► kick

· Masha, in a comfortable chair, kicked off her high heels and drew her legs under her flower-patterned skirt.· She deserves to kick up her heels.· That has set Crosby into conflict with Murray and left Armstrong kicking his heels instead of a football.· Women in white boots, short shorts and frilly cowgirl outfits kicked up their heels on it.· My son, I began to fear, was still kicking his heels on a fog-bound airport in Birmingham.· For a guy like me to hang around kicking his heels ain't natural.· But perhaps you too are kicking up your heels elsewhere by now.· BThey kicked up their heels, spun, twirled and got down till dawn.

► rock

· Burun had rocked back on to his heels.· He was rocking on his heels, watching Kathy sleep.

► sit

· The students then stoop to sit on their heels and issue another formal bow before standing and beginning the lesson.· He sat back on his heels, sorrowfully examining the ruined glove.· She ventured at last to sit back on her heels, let her hands lie in her lap, and listen.· He can move forwards, rolling the ball forwards, and then come back almost to sit on his heels.· Hari mended the fire and sat back on her heels, looking at her blackened fingers.· Lowell sat back on his heels and watched the flames.· He sat back on his heels and swore.· Luke, a 4-year-old boy, would sit on his heels in order not to pass a motion.

► snap

· It's touted as the cheaper alternative to Photoshop, and is snapping at the heels of the industry benchmark.· I've the problems of the world on my shoulders and the Captain snapping at my heels.· As night fell the Empire army was in full retreat with wolf riders snapping at their heels.

► spin

· Then he spun on his heel and stalked off round the side of the cart.· John spun on his heel and ran back to the banister, his fist closing on empty air behind the moving figure.· Duvall was jerked away from Jimmy, spinning on his heels so that he was facing the office door again.

► turn

· Suddenly, the boar had been faced with a cliff too steep to climb and had turned on its heel.· The throng turned on their heels and stampeded into town.· He turned smartly on his heel and trotted into the foyer, greeting the stewards with indiscriminate effusion.· Whenever Einar got extremely mad, he turned on his heel and walked away.· She turned on her heel and vanished into the murk.· Then, without a word, he turned on his heel and left the room.· Then she turned on her heel and we marched back down the hall.· He turned on his heel and went into the dining room.

► wear

· She wore impossibly high heels, yet she was still only eye to eye with Virginia in her bare feet.· He must wear leather heels, maybe with taps.· As she tried to pick her way over frozen puddles, she regretted her decision to wear high heels instead of boots.· This mournfully bright menial Val wore high heels and a black beret.· She wears white spiky heels and has a tiny white beret balanced asymmetrically on the side of her head.· She would just about do, although she wished she had been able to wear high heels.· She ought to have worn high heels.

PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► (hard/hot/close) on the heels of something

Critique followed hot on the heels of this pioneering work.
On the heels of this came Mr J. to tell us that young Mrs P. had had her thighbone crushed.
Then it seemed that the consummation would follow soon on the heels of its inauguration.
With another couple of laps he might have finished close on the heels of the two Dunlops.

► (hard/hot/close) on somebody’s heels► bring somebody to heel

Snelling's aim was to bring politicians to heel by limiting their ability to impose taxes.
As you know it's the only thing that brings Gesner to heel.
Given the fragility of Mr Wahid's government, U.S. pressure intended to bring the military to heel should be calibrated.
Some one who can bring you to heel when you need it.
The best illustrations of this are in societies where the authorities bring defaulters to heel directly by the power of their curse.

► come to heel

During their bizarre courtship she was his willing puppy who came to heel when he whistled.
Sometimes they succeed in pressuring others to come to heel.

► take to your heels

He jumped off the train, took to his heels, and was quickly out of sight.
The boys jumped down and took to their heels.
The kids immediately took to their heels as Mrs Brewster appeared around the corner.
The deer in turn took to their heels.
The infantry detailed to guard them let off only a couple of volleys before also taking to their heels.
They took to their heels and ran up the road.
Used to moving fast on jobs, Fitzgerald took to his heels and outran the bees over a couple of hundred yards.

► turn/spin on your heel

Seifert turned on his heels and stomped away in anger.
Cooper turned on his heels and walked away.
He turned on his heel and went into the dining room.
I turned on my heel and left the room.
She turned on her heel and vanished into the murk.
Suddenly, the boar had been faced with a cliff too steep to climb and had turned on its heel.
Then she turned on her heel and we marched back down the hall.
Then, without a word, he turned on his heel and left the room.

► under the heel of somebody/something

The country is once more under the heel of a dictator.

► heels

I just can't walk in heels.

► at somebody’s heelsPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► close on the heels of something

With another couple of laps he might have finished close on the heels of the two Dunlops.

► cool your heels

I had to cool my heels in a long line at the checkout.
As things turned out, I had a week to cool my heels in New York.
Basically, if you believe the law of averages, 1996 should be a year for mutual funds to cool their heels.
He was ushered forward after cooling his heels for four minutes.
His office says he has kept at least 20 top-flight journalists and analysts cooling their heels waiting to interview him since October.
If a man was workshy and mutinous I would put him in a cell to cool his heels for a while.
Our sources, who are cooling their heels waiting for chips, continue to think Intel is having problems making the parts.

► dig your heels in

I had to dig my heels in to stay steady.
The situation to be avoided is where the buyer digs his heels in on principle, because of the attitude of the salesperson.

► drag your feet/heels

And don't drag your feet.
Elsewhere they dragged their feet until it became clear that the laws were unenforceable.
Mr de Klerk's people say the Congress is dragging its feet because it is too disorganised to talk.
On the other hand, the agency has been dragging its feet all the way in making the endangered determination.
On this occasion, their leaders have dragged their heels at every stage, without giving any of the ideas a chance.
The council was informed about the anniversary two years ago but has dragged its heels over putting it on any agenda.
They thus exhibit a strong tendency to drag their feet as doomsday draws nearer.
Was it because he feared the Republicans were going to hammer him in the 1996 election for dragging his feet on enlargement?

► be/fall head over heels in love

It wasn't just the usual liaison: the two of them fell head over heels in love.

► hot on somebody’s heels

Conversely, victory for Bath leaves them very much in the title hunt, hot on the heels of Leicester.
Critique followed hot on the heels of this pioneering work.
It comes hot on the heels of the C5 saloon we showed you last week.
Merchants followed hot on their heels selling fabrics and other manufactured goods in exchange for copra oil.
Young Laura is hot on the heels of her brothers.

► come/follow hot on the heels of something

It comes hot on the heels of the C5 saloon we showed you last week.

► kick your heels

For a guy like me to hang around kicking his heels ain't natural.
I kicked my heels and ran my eye along the ruff of mountains surrounding Cuzco, like a tongue over broken teeth.
I sat in the pie shop kicking my heels and pondering the problem.
My son, I began to fear, was still kicking his heels on a fog-bound airport in Birmingham.
That has set Crosby into conflict with Murray and left Armstrong kicking his heels instead of a football.
The clash of steel jarred up his arm, then he kicked his heels back to force the stallion towards the road.

► kick up your heels

Women in cowgirl outfits kicked up their heels before an audience of 24,000.
BThey kicked up their heels, spun, twirled and got down till dawn.
But perhaps you too are kicking up your heels elsewhere by now.
She deserves to kick up her heels.
This is your chance to kick up your heels and support this group of anonymous women artists.
Women in white boots, short shorts and frilly cowgirl outfits kicked up their heels on it.

► scuff your feet/heels► show (somebody) a clean pair of heels► spike heels

And then Doreen entered the dining-room, walking carefully on her high spike heels.
If I were you I'd change those spike heels for walking shoes and explore the place.
Marie said and hung up quickly as Astrid teetered back into the office on her gold spike heels.
Set off the look with a pair of high spiked heels.

of your foot the curved back part of your foot → toe2of a shoe the raised part on the bottom of a shoe that makes the shoe higher at the back:

black boots with high heelshigh-heeled/low-heeled/flat-heeled etc

her low-heeled blue shoes3of a sock the part of a sock that covers your heel4of your hand the part of your hand between the bottom of your thumb and your wrist:

Using the heel of your hand, press the dough firmly into shape.5heels [plural] a pair of women’s shoes with high heels:

Whenever she wore heels she was taller than the men she worked with.6at somebody’s heels if a person or animal is at your heels, they are following closely behind you:

He could hear the dog trotting at his heels.7a)(hard/hot/close) on the heels of something very soon after something:

The decision to buy Peters came hard on the heels of the club’s promotion to Division One. b)(hard/hot/close) on somebody’s heels following closely behind someone, especially in order to catch or attack them:

With the enemy army hard on his heels, he crossed the Somme at Blanche-Taque.8bring somebody to heel to force someone to behave in the way that you want them to9come to heel British English a)if a dog comes to heel, it comes back to its owner when the owner calls it b)if someone comes to heel, they start to behave in the way that you want them to10take to your heels written to start running away:

As soon as he saw me he took to his heels.11turn/spin on your heel written to suddenly turn away from someone, especially in an angry or rude way:

Before anyone could say a word, he turned on his heel and walked out of the room.12under the heel of somebody/something completely controlled by a government or group:

a people under the heel of an increasingly dictatorial regime13bad man old-fashioned a man who behaves badly towards other people → Achilles' heel, down-at-heel, well-heeled, → click your heels at click1(1), → cool your heels at cool2(4), → dig your heels in at dig1(4), → drag your heels at drag1(8), → be/fall head over heels in love at head1(36), → kick your heels at kick1(9)