bring to heel

bring (someone) to heel

To force someone to obey one's wishes or commands; to make someone act in accordance with one's authority. The CEO was quick to bring the junior board member to heel after the latter spoke out of turn at the annual general meeting. Sir, the members of your squad are all out of control. You need to bring them to heel right away!
See also: bring, heel
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

bring someone to heel

Fig. to cause someone to act in a disciplined fashion; to force someone to act in a more disciplined manner. She tried to bring her husband to heel, but he had a mind of his own. He was brought to heel by his demanding wife.
See also: bring, heel
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

bring to heel

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]
See also: bring, heel
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • be replaced by (someone or something)
  • be replaced with (someone or something)
  • at (one's) doorstep
  • at doorstep
  • at expense
  • at somebody's expense
  • at someone's expense
  • at (one's) expense
  • be remembered as (something)
  • be remembered as/for something
References in periodicals archive
Anyone who believes you can defend civil liberties against an abusive New Labour government by changing Home Office ministers misses the point: you have to change the whole authoritarian culture of the Home Office by reforming Parliament so that it can bring to heel such over-mighty government departments.
Beware Orwellian New Labour; LETTERS