П-680

НАСТУПАТЬ/НАСТУПИТЬ НА ПЯТКИ кому coll VP usu. impfv )

1. (subj: human, collect, or animal) to be following s.o. very closely and be about to come even with him

X наступал Y-y на пятки = X was hard on Yls heels

X was (close) at Y's heels X was close behind Y X was catching up with (to) Y.

Его преследователям удалось сократить расстояние, они уже наступали ему на пятки. His pursuers managed to close in on him-they were already at his heels.

2. (subj: human or collect) to be about to reach a skill level equal to another's in some activity

X наступает Y-y на пятки — X is catching up with (to) Y

X is gaining on Y X is close behind Y X (X's work, X's performance etc) is becoming as good as Y (Y's) X is right (close) at W heels X is hard on W heels.