The phrase "brought to heel" is spelled using the IPA phonetic transcription as /brɔːt tə hiːl/. It means to bring someone or something under control or subjugation. The phrase originated from the practice of training dogs to obey their owners by bringing them to heel, or by walking obediently beside their owner's heel. The word "brought" is pronounced as /brɔːt/, with a silent "gh" indicating the past tense of "bring". The word "heel" is pronounced as /hiːl/, rhyming with "peel" or "feel".
"Brought to heel" is a phrase that originates from the world of dog training and has evolved into a metaphorical expression in everyday language. Literally, it refers to the act of training a dog to walk obediently on a leash, following the owner without resistance or straying off course.
In its metaphorical sense, "brought to heel" means to bring someone or something under control, discipline, or subjugation. It suggests reining in a person or situation to make them conform to a desired outcome or to assert dominance over them. The phrase implies the idea of restoring order, enforcing compliance, or taming unruly behavior.
When used in political or social contexts, "brought to heel" often implies ensuring loyalty, obedience, or subservience. It conveys the idea that an individual or a group has been brought under strict control or made to conform to a specific agenda, often against their own will or interests. The phrase can also connote exerting authority or suppressing opposition, implying a power dynamic where one party subdues another.
Overall, "brought to heel" signifies the act of compelling or forcing someone or something to adhere to a certain standard, behave according to expectations, or submit to authority and control.