on your tail

USAGE SUMMARY

"on your tail" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that someone is closely following you or after you, making a lot of effort to catch up with you. Example: I'm running as fast as I can but it seems like the thief is still on my tail.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Making sure the person you're trying to trick is watching, go behind a big rock where no one can see, put on your tail, drag yourself into the ocean and show the fin of your tail above the water a little bit when getting into the water so you get the person's attention.

WikiHow

You're a pirate, you can't always stay in one place with the authorities on your tail.

WikiHow

The Hunters are close on your tail.

The Guardian - Books

And you are going to just sit on your tail and chortle, I asked?

The New York Times - Sports

Jarno, look out, your sparring partner Sutil is on your tail.

The Guardian - Sport

Assuming legions of murderous spies aren't on your tail, the uses for your remote-controlled car will be more mundane.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Have your back foot on the back corner of your tail.

WikiHow

Put your back foot on the frontside part of your tail.

WikiHow

Or to the guy riding your tail on the highway, going at least 80 and he's high beaming you to change lanes.

Huffington Post

Pick where you want your tail on your costume.

WikiHow

Don't get your tail on the object.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "on your tail" to vividly describe situations where someone is being closely followed or pursued, adding a sense of urgency or threat.

Common error

Avoid using "on your tail" in literal contexts where physical tails are involved; it's primarily used figuratively to describe pursuit or close following.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on your tail" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial, modifying verbs to describe the manner of pursuit. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Examples show it describing the intensity and immediacy of being followed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on your tail" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe being closely followed or pursued. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys a sense of urgency or threat. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, it maintains a neutral to informal register. When writing, remember that it's a figurative expression. Consider alternatives like "in pursuit of you" for more formal settings, or "breathing down your neck" to emphasize pressure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hot on your trail

Similar to the original phrase, but with a slightly more dramatic or cinematic feel.

in pursuit of you

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the act of chasing or following.

chasing after you

This alternative is a straightforward description of someone trying to catch you.

following you closely

This phrase describes the action of following without necessarily implying a chase.

hard on your heels

This phrase conveys a sense of immediacy and urgency in the pursuit.

dogging your footsteps

This is a more figurative expression, suggesting persistent and often unwanted pursuit.

breathing down your neck

This idiom implies intense pressure and close monitoring, often in a stressful situation.

shadowing you

Suggests a secretive or covert form of following, often used in espionage contexts.

right behind you

A more literal and less aggressive way of saying someone is closely following.

on your back

This expression indicates someone is bothering or pressuring you, similar to being chased.

FAQs

How can I use "on your tail" in a sentence?

You can use "on your tail" to indicate someone is closely following or pursuing you. For example, "I knew the police were "hot on my trail" after the robbery."

What's a less aggressive alternative to "on your tail"?

If you want a less intense phrase, you could say someone is "following you closely" or is "right behind you" depending on the context.

What does it mean when someone says they are "breathing down your neck"?

The phrase "breathing down your neck" is similar to "on your tail", but implies even more pressure and close monitoring in a stressful situation.

Is "on your tail" appropriate for formal writing?

While "on your tail" is widely understood, it might be too informal for certain types of formal writing. Consider using a more neutral phrase like "in pursuit of you" in those cases.