definitions

bring to heel

Force to obey, subjugate. For example, The prisoners were quickly brought to heel. This term transfers commanding a dog to come close behind its master to similar control over human beings or affairs. [Second half of 1800s]

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RELATED WORDS

enslave, conquer, subdue, suppress, restrain, soften, pacify, curb, temper, vanquish, force, enthrall, compel, reduce, rule, tame, crush, coerce, quell, triumph

Nearby words

bring the house down, bring to, bring to a head, bring to bear, bring to book, bring to heel, bring to life, bring to light, bring to mind, bring to one's knees, bring to pass
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.