come to heel

come to heel

To assume a position of subjugation, discipline, or submission to authority. You need to come to heel because the CEO was not pleased when you spoke out of turn at the annual general meeting. Sir, the members of your squad are all out of control. They must come to heel right away!

See also: come, heel

come to ˈheel

,

bring somebody to ˈheel

obey the rules; make somebody obey the rules: He’ll soon come to heel if I start to get nasty with him. ♢ Tell him you’ll leave him if he does it again. That’ll bring him to heel, I’m sure.

If you tell a dog to come to heel, you make it come close to you.

See also: come, heel