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breathe down someone's neck

1

Pursue someone closely; pose a threat to one, as in The immigration authorities were breathing down his neck. [Mid-1900s]

2

Watch or supervise someone very closely, as in The boss is always breathing down our necks. [Mid-1900s]

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Question 1 of 9
You may have read the word "simmer" in a recipe or two, but what does it really mean?
To cook in water that begins cold and then reaches a boil.
To stew in a sauce for a long time.
To cook in water, just below boiling temperature.
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Words nearby breathe down someone's neck

Breathalyzer, breath analyzer, breatharian, breathe, breathed, breathe down someone's neck, breathe easy, breathe life into, breathe one's last, breather, breath group
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.