только пятки засверкали

• ТОЛЬКО ПЯТКИ СВЕРКАЮТ/ЗАСВЕРКАЛИ (у кого) coll

[VPsubj; often after помчался, понёсся и т. п.; if a verb of motion is not present, it is implied]

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⇒ s.o. runs away very quickly:

- у X-a <X помчался и т. п.,> только пятки засверкали{{}}≈ X took off like greased lightning;

- X was <took> off like a shot;

- X showed a clean pair of heels;

- X took to his heels (out of there).

     ♦ Когда ребята увидели сторожа, у них только пятки засверкали. When the kids caught sight of the guard they took off like greased lightning.