breathe down neck

breathe down someone's neck 

1. Fig. to keep close watch on someone; to watch someone's activities intently. (Alludes to someone standing very close behind a person.) I can't work with you breathing down my neck all the time. Go away. I will get through my life without your help. Stop breathing down my neck.

2. Fig. [for someone or something] to represent an approaching deadline. The project deadline is breathing down my neck. The due date for this paper is breathing down my neck.

See also: breathe, neck

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breathe down somebody's neck

to pay very close attention to what someone does in a way that annoys or worries them It's awful having to work with a boss who's breathing down your neck the whole time.

See also: breathe, neck

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breathe down your neck

to watch too closely what you do The supervisor breathes down my neck all the time, trying to make sure I'm working hard enough.

See also: breathe, neck