Bring somebody/something to heel
verb
To force someone to obey or follow one's rules.
The teacher managed to bring the unruly students to heel.
Often appears as...
- bring students to heel
- bring staff to heel
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To force someone to obey or follow one's rules.
The teacher managed to bring the unruly students to heel.
Often appears as...
- bring students to heel
- bring staff to heel
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Power Dynamic
The phrase suggests a power imbalance where one entity enforces obedience on another.
The company CEO brought the entire board to heel with his new policies.
Pro Tip 2/3Asserting Authority
It's often used when someone asserts their authority to control a situation or group.
After the merger, the new director swiftly brought the staff to heel.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Can imply strict or harsh measures taken to ensure compliance.
The regime tried to bring the protesters to heel through intimidation.
Pro Tip 1/3Power Dynamic
The phrase suggests a power imbalance where one entity enforces obedience on another.
The company CEO brought the entire board to heel with his new policies.
Pro Tip 2/3Asserting Authority
It's often used when someone asserts their authority to control a situation or group.
After the merger, the new director swiftly brought the staff to heel.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Can imply strict or harsh measures taken to ensure compliance.
The regime tried to bring the protesters to heel through intimidation.
Pro Tip 1/3Power Dynamic
The phrase suggests a power imbalance where one entity enforces obedience on another.
The company CEO brought the entire board to heel with his new policies.
Pro Tip 2/3Asserting Authority
It's often used when someone asserts their authority to control a situation or group.
After the merger, the new director swiftly brought the staff to heel.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Can imply strict or harsh measures taken to ensure compliance.
The regime tried to bring the protesters to heel through intimidation.
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