down at heel Definition

heel¹
noun

1. The rounded back part of the foot below the ankle.
2. The part of a sock, stocking and tights that covers the heel.
3. The part of a shoe, boot and other such footwear which supports the heel.
4. Anything shaped or functioning like the heel, eg that part of the palm near the wrist.
5. A heel-like bend, as on a golf club.
6. The end of a loaf.
7. slang
A despicable person; someone who is untrustworthy or who lets others down.
Thesaurus: scoundrel, rascal, bounder, cad, blackguard, scamp, chiseller (slang).

verb heeled, heeling

1. To execute or perform with the heel.
2. To strike using the heel.
3. To repair or fit a new heel on (a shoe, etc).
intr
4. To move one's heels in time to a dance rhythm.
intr
5. rugby.
To kick the ball backwards out of the scrum with the heel.
intr
6. Said of a dog: to walk at, or go to, someone's side.

Derivative: heeled

Having a heel or heels.

Note: in compounds
Referring to shoes with a specified type of heel.
Example: high-heeled

Idiom: at someone's heels (on someone's heels, upon someone's heels)

Following closely behind them.

Idiom: cool one's heels (kick one's heels)

To be kept waiting indefinitely.

Idiom: dig one's heels in

To behave stubbornly.

Idiom: down at heel

Untidy; in poor condition or circumstances.

Idiom: heel and toe

With a strict walking pace, as opposed to running.

Idiom: kick up one's heels

To frisk or gambol.

Idiom: lay someone by the heels (set someone by the heels)

old use, colloq
To put them in prison or confinement.

Idiom: show a clean pair of heels

To run away.

Idiom: take to one's heels

To run away; to abscond.

Idiom: to heel

Said especially of a dog: walking obediently at the heels of the person in charge of it.

Under control; subject to discipline; submissive.

Idiom: turn on one's heel

To turn round suddenly or sharply.

Idiom: under the heel

Crushed; ruled over tyrannically.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon hela.