What does “Come to heel” mean?
"Come to heel" means to obey someone or to do what someone tells you to do.
What context can I use the in?
Example
The dog quickly learned to come to heel when called by its owner.
Example
The soldiers were trained to come to heel and follow orders without question.
Example
The children were taught to come to heel and listen to their parents
Is “Come to heel” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Come to heel” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Come to heel” effectively in context?
You can use "Come to Heel" to describe someone obeying or following someone else's instructions without question. It emphasizes the idea of obedience and submission. For example, if a child always listens to their parents and does what they're told, you might say, 'The children always come to heel when their parents ask them to do something.'
- 1Pet Training
The dog quickly learned to come to heel when called by its owner.
- 2Military
The soldiers were trained to come to heel and follow orders without question.
- 3Parenting
The children were taught to come to heel and listen to their parents.
Similar phrases to “Come to heel”:
To do what someone tells you to do
Example
The students were expected to obey the teacher's instructions.
Follow orders
To do what someone in authority tells you to do
Example
The soldiers were trained to follow orders without question.
To accept or yield to a higher authority or someone else's control
Example
He had to submit to his boss's demands to keep his job.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Come to heel” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Come to Heel" is unknown.
Is “Come to heel” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Come to Heel" is a common expression in everyday conversation. It is often used to describe obedience and following instructions.
What tone does “Come to heel” have?
"Come to Heel" conveys a tone of authority and control. It implies that someone is expected to obey and submit to another person's commands.
Can “Come to heel” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "Come to Heel" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is commonly used in conversations about obedience and following instructions. You can use it when talking about pet training, military discipline, or parenting.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'The dog quickly learned to come to heel when called by its owner.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Time to "come to heel"!' to imply obedience.
