bring to heel
To compel someone to obey; to force someone into a submissive condition.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The trainer brought the wild dog to heel.”
“The new manager quickly brought the unruly team to heel by enforcing strict office rules.”
“After years of political instability, the dictator used his secret police to bring the rebellious provinces to heel.”
The idiom derives from the literal command given to a dog to ensure it walks closely behind its master. In the context of the hunt or the kennel, the phrase served as a sharp instruction to force an animal into immediate and physical submission.
- 01
bring a knife to a gunfight
To enter into a confrontation or other challenging situation without being adequately equipped or prepared.
- 02
bring a lump to someone's throat
To engender a strong emotional reaction.
- 03
bring back to life
To return someone to a state of consciousness or living after a state of unconsciousness, death or near-death.
- 04
bring down the curtain
To bring something to an end.
- 05
bring down the hammer
To treat very harshly.
- 06
bring down the house
To garner enthusiastic or wild applause or laughter.
- 07
bring forward
To call up for consideration.
- 08
bring home
To earn (money).
Last updated August 10, 2026