adjective / adverb
hot
Very close behind what is being pursued.
The police are hot on the trail of the thief.
Etymology
A fresh trail can be described as hot, suggesting that the quarry has only just passed. The pursuit sense extends that freshness to following very closely behind.
More examples
- She races toward the finish with another runner hot on her heels.
- You're getting hotter—your last guess was almost right.
- Researchers are hot on the trail of a cure.
Forms
hot · hotter · hottest