IdiomBody & Senses
English
Englishtake to one's heels
Meaning: To run away.
Example: “The cat took to its heels when the vacuum started.”
Origin: A runner shows the soles of their heels to whoever is behind. The phrase is recorded in English from the 16th century.
Other ways to say this
French: Prendre ses jambes à son cou Literally: To take one's legs around one's neck
Hindi: नौ दो ग्यारह होना (nau do gyaarah hona) Literally: To become nine, two, eleven
Russian: Делать ноги (Delat' nogi) Literally: To make legs
Ukrainian: Дати драла (Daty drala) Literally: To give a bolt
Italian: battere i tacchi Literally: To beat one's heels- English: beat a hasty retreat
- French: Prendre la tangente Literally: To take the tangent
More English idioms
- where the sun doesn't shine Somewhere hidden; also a rude way of naming the body.
- without a fight With no resistance at all.
- pave the way To prepare the ground so that something can happen later.
- catch someone off guard To surprise someone who is not prepared.
- all at once Suddenly, with no warning.
- do more harm than good To make matters worse while trying to help.
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