bring to heel

1. 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]

Example Sentences

“Say Nothing” is a heavy watch, and it remains to be seen whether American viewers will be in the mood to dive into a drawn-out resistance story so soon after an election won by a governing force eager to bring to heel millions of his countrymen, whether economically or by force.

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It is instead the unknowable that makes the animal an animal — the thing that makes EO a flesh-and-blood part of a natural order, the thing that humans have consistently tried to bring to heel only to destroy.

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Regulators across the world are working out how to bring to heel the crypto sector, which is subject to patchy rules.

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Poland's nationalist government says its judicial reforms are intended to sweep away remnants of communist influence and bring to heel judges who think they are above the law.

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For five years he was able to bring to heel the vast majority of the GOP caucus through childish tactics.

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Related Words

• conquer 
• curb 
• pacify 
• restrain 
• soften 
• subdue 
• suppress 
• temper 
• vanquish