trail after (someone or something)
1. To follow along after someone or something, especially in a diligent, dutiful, or persistent manner. We set out on our hike for the day with the three kids trailing after us. I trailed after the suspect for nearly four hours to figure out where he was stashing the stolen goods. Jimmy idolizes his big brother, always trailing after him wherever he goes.
2. To be in a position secondary or inferior to someone or something else. We're trailing after him in the polls, but I still feel like we can win this election! Though their newest smartphone is the most technologically advanced one on the market, it continues to trail after its competitors in terms of sales. The team trailed after their opponents by 17 points at halftime.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
trail (along)
(after someone or something) 1. to drag along after someone or something. His pants were torn, and a piece of his trouser leg trailed along after him. His trouser leg trailed after him.
2. to follow along after someone or something. A little dog trailed along after Mary and Karen. Is that your dog trailing along?
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.