bring to heel

Idioms and Phrases

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.

From Salon

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.

From New York Times

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

From Reuters

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.

From Reuters

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

From Salon

Related Words

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