Большой русско-английский фразеологический словарь

Х14

НАСТУПАТЬ/НАСТУПИТЬ НА ХВОСТ комуhighly collVP

1. (subj:humanorcollect) to be followings.o.very closely and be about to catch up to him

X наступает Y-y на хвост - X is (right) on Y's tail

X is in hot pursuit of YX is breathing down Y's neck.

Они поспешно отходили - противник наступал им на хвост. They were beating a fast retreat because the enemy was right on their tail.

2. (subj:humanto offends.o., encroach upon his sphere of interests

X наступил Y-y на хвост — X stepped on Yb toes.

«Не злись... ты злишься, как будто я у тебя девочку увел. Ведь она же ничья была, совершенно одна и ничья, я никому не наступил на хвост...» (Аксёнов 7). "Pipe down...pipe down! You'd think she was yours the way you're reacting. She's a free agent, her own woman. I haven't stepped on anybody's toes" (7a).