B2 Idiom خنثی

наступать на пятки

наступать на пятки

to step on heels

معنی

To be following closely behind.

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

In the post-Soviet era, competition was often seen as aggressive. Using this idiom in business suggests a high-stakes environment where being second is not an option. Russian sports commentators are very fond of this idiom, especially in cross-country skiing and biathlon, which are national favorites. There is a strong culture of 'Olympiads' (academic competitions). Students often use this to describe their peers in the ranking. In extremely crowded metros, the literal meaning is a daily reality, leading to a shared cultural annoyance.

🎯

Use with 'уже'

The word 'уже' (already) is a frequent companion to this idiom, emphasizing that the threat is current.

⚠️

Dative Case Alert

Always remember: 'кому-то на пятки'. Using 'кого-то' is the most common error for foreigners.

معنی

To be following closely behind.

🎯

Use with 'уже'

The word 'уже' (already) is a frequent companion to this idiom, emphasizing that the threat is current.

⚠️

Dative Case Alert

Always remember: 'кому-то на пятки'. Using 'кого-то' is the most common error for foreigners.

💬

Not just for people

You can use this for abstract concepts like 'years' or 'deadlines' if they are chasing you.

خودت رو بسنج

Fill in the missing word in the correct form.

Наши конкуренты наступают нам на ________.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: пятки

The idiom specifically uses 'пятки' (heels).

Choose the correct grammatical structure.

Как правильно сказать?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Он наступает на пятки мне.

The person being followed must be in the Dative case (мне).

Match the sentence to the most likely context.

Sentence: 'Молодые специалисты уже наступают нам на пятки.'

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: A career discussion

This is a classic use of the idiom to describe generational competition at work.

Complete the dialogue.

— Ты видел результаты забега? — Да, Петров чуть не проиграл. Иванов весь путь ________.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: наступал ему на пятки

This correctly uses the idiom in a sports context with the Dative 'ему'.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

بانک تمرین

4 تمرین‌ها
Fill in the missing word in the correct form. جای خالی B1

Наши конкуренты наступают нам на ________.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: пятки

The idiom specifically uses 'пятки' (heels).

Choose the correct grammatical structure. Choose B2

Как правильно сказать?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Он наступает на пятки мне.

The person being followed must be in the Dative case (мне).

Match the sentence to the most likely context. situation_matching B2

Sentence: 'Молодые специалисты уже наступают нам на пятки.'

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: A career discussion

This is a classic use of the idiom to describe generational competition at work.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B2

— Ты видел результаты забега? — Да, Петров чуть не проиграл. Иванов весь путь ________.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: наступал ему на пятки

This correctly uses the idiom in a sports context with the Dative 'ему'.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

سوالات متداول

10 سوال

No, it's neutral. It can be used in professional settings without any problem.

Yes, e.g., 'Он наступает мне на пятки' (He is on my heels).

'Дышать в спину' is more dramatic and suggests the person is even closer.

Yes, 'Они наступали нам на пятки' is perfectly fine.

Yes, frequently, both in literal and figurative senses.

Usually, yes, because it implies pressure, but it can also be a sign of a healthy competitive market.

No, it's almost always plural 'пятки'.

Very common in business and sports headlines.

Yes, 'Новая модель наступает на пятки старой'.

You say 'Ой, извините, я вам на пятку наступил'.

عبارات مرتبط

🔗

дышать в спину

similar

To breathe down someone's neck

🔗

идти по пятам

similar

To follow in someone's footsteps / to shadow

🔗

оставлять позади

contrast

To leave behind

🔗

составлять конкуренцию

specialized form

To compete with

مفید بود؟
هنوز نظری وجود ندارد. اولین نفری باشید که افکار خود را به اشتراک می‌گذارد!