'To take to the heels' definitions:

Definition of 'To take to the heels'

From: GCIDE

Heel \Heel\, n. [OE. hele, heele, AS. h[=e]la, perh. for h[=o]hila, fr. AS. h[=o]h heel (cf. Hough); but cf. D. hiel, OFries. heila, h[=e]la, Icel. h[ae]ll, Dan. h[ae]l, Sw. h[aum]l, and L. calx. [root]12. Cf. Inculcate.]
1. The hinder part of the foot; sometimes, the whole foot; -- in man or quadrupeds. [1913 Webster]
He [the stag] calls to mind his strength and then his speed, His winged heels and then his armed head. --Denham. [1913 Webster]
2. The hinder part of any covering for the foot, as of a shoe, sock, etc.; specif., a solid part projecting downward from the hinder part of the sole of a boot or shoe. [1913 Webster]
3. The latter or remaining part of anything; the closing or concluding part. "The heel of a hunt." --A. Trollope. "The heel of the white loaf." --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]
4. Anything regarded as like a human heel in shape; a protuberance; a knob. [1913 Webster]
5. The part of a thing corresponding in position to the human heel; the lower part, or part on which a thing rests; especially: (a) (Naut.) The after end of a ship's keel. (b) (Naut.) The lower end of a mast, a boom, the bowsprit, the sternpost, etc. (c) (Mil.) In a small arm, the corner of the but which is upwards in the firing position. (d) (Mil.) The uppermost part of the blade of a sword, next to the hilt. (e) The part of any tool next the tang or handle; as, the heel of a scythe. [1913 Webster]
6. (Man.) Management by the heel, especially the spurred heel; as, the horse understands the heel well. [1913 Webster]
7. (Arch.) (a) The lower end of a timber in a frame, as a post or rafter. In the United States, specif., the obtuse angle of the lower end of a rafter set sloping. (b) A cyma reversa; -- so called by workmen. --Gwilt. [1913 Webster]
8. (Golf) The part of the face of the club head nearest the shaft. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
9. In a carding machine, the part of a flat nearest the cylinder. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
Heel chain (Naut.), a chain passing from the bowsprit cap around the heel of the jib boom.
Heel plate, the butt plate of a gun.
Heel of a rafter. (Arch.) See Heel, n., 7.
Heel ring, a ring for fastening a scythe blade to the snath.
Neck and heels, the whole body. (Colloq.)
To be at the heels of, to pursue closely; to follow hard; as, hungry want is at my heels. --Otway.
To be down at the heel, to be slovenly or in a poor plight.
To be out at the heels, to have on stockings that are worn out; hence, to be shabby, or in a poor plight. --Shak.
To cool the heels. See under Cool.
To go heels over head, to turn over so as to bring the heels uppermost; hence, to move in a inconsiderate, or rash, manner.
To have the heels of, to outrun.
To lay by the heels, to fetter; to shackle; to imprison. --Shak. --Addison.
To show the heels, to flee; to run from.
To take to the heels, to flee; to betake to flight.
To throw up another's heels, to trip him. --Bunyan.
To tread upon one's heels, to follow closely. --Shak. [1913 Webster]