Idioms for heel

Origin of heel

1
before 850; Middle English; Old English hēl(a); cognate with Dutch hiel, Old Norse hǣll. See hock1

OTHER WORDS FROM heel

heel·less, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH heel

heal heel he'll

British Dictionary definitions for take to one's heels (1 of 2)

heel 1
/ (hiːl) /

noun

verb

Derived forms of heel

heelless, adjective

Word Origin for heel

Old English hēla; related to Old Norse hǣll, Old Frisian hêl

British Dictionary definitions for take to one's heels (2 of 2)

heel 2
/ (hiːl) /

verb

(of a vessel) to lean over; list

noun

inclined position from the vertical the boat is at ten degrees of heel

Word Origin for heel

Old English hieldan; related to Old Norse hallr inclined, Old High German helden to bow

Medical definitions for take to one's heels

heel
[ hēl ]

n.

The rounded posterior portion of the foot under and behind the ankle.
A similar anatomical part, such as the rounded base of the palm.

Idioms and Phrases with take to one's heels (1 of 2)

take to one's heels

Run away, as in When the burglar alarm went off they took to their heels. This expression alludes to the fact that the heels are all one sees of a fugitive running away fast. Although similar expressions turned up from Shakespeare's time on, the exact idiom dates only from the first half of the 1800s. Also see show one's heels.

Idioms and Phrases with take to one's heels (2 of 2)

heel

see Achilles' heel; at someone's heels; bring to heel; cool one's heels; dig in (one's heels); drag one's feet (heels); head over heels; kick up one's heels; on the heels of; out at the elbows (heels); set back on one's heels; show one's heels; take to one's heels; to heel; turn on one's heel.