heel
The back, bottom part of your foot, under the ankle.
The rounded back part on the underside of the foot, below the ankle and behind the arch.
The back, bottom part of a shoe that is under your heel.
The raised back part on the underside of a shoe or boot that supports the heel of the foot.
A shoe, usually for women, with a high heel; often said as "heels" for a pair of such shoes.
A high-heeled shoe or, more often in the plural, a pair of shoes with a tall heel, typically worn by women.
A man who treats people badly, especially in love or friendship.
A man, especially in social or romantic contexts, who behaves in a selfish, dishonest, or cruel way.
The back or end part of something long, for example the last piece of bread in a loaf, or the thick part of your hand near the wrist.
The back end, thick end, or last part of something long or flat, such as a loaf of bread or the palm side of the hand.
If a dog heels, it walks very close to its owner after a command.
Of a dog, to walk very close behind or beside its handler, usually following a command in training.
To fix the back, bottom part of a shoe by putting on a new heel.
To repair a shoe by replacing or fixing the heel.
In pro wrestling, a heel is the bad guy, the character the crowd is supposed to hate.
In professional wrestling, a performer whose on-stage role is to be the villain or bad character.
The way a boat leans to one side in the water.
The sideways tilt of a boat or ship in the water, especially when caused by wind or waves.
If a boat heels, it leans to one side in the water.
Of a boat or ship, to tilt sideways in the water, especially because of wind, waves, or uneven loading.
- Base: heel
- Plural: heels
- Base: heel
- 3rd Person Singular: heels
- Present Participle: heeling
- Past: heeled
Achilles' heel
1weak point in something strong
A small but important weakness in a person or thing that is strong in other ways.
- His inability to delegate is his Achilles' heel.
- Security has long been the company's Achilles' heel.
- Math was always her Achilles' heel at school.
at heel
1dog walking close beside
Used to say that a dog is walking very close beside its owner, usually in a controlled way.
- The dog walked quietly at heel.
- In the test, the dog must remain at heel at all times.
- She keeps her dog at heel when passing other animals.
at someone's heels
1very close behind someone
Very close behind someone or something, usually while moving.
- The dog trotted at his heels as he walked.
- Reporters were at her heels as she left the court.
- The younger runner stayed at the champion's heels for most of the race.
bring someone to heel
1force someone to obey
To force a person, group, or animal to obey or accept control.
- The new manager quickly brought the team to heel.
- The government hopes to bring the rebels to heel through sanctions.
- She struggled to bring the excited puppy to heel.
cool one's heels
1wait for a long time, annoyed
To have to wait somewhere for a long time, often feeling bored or annoyed.
- We cooled our heels in the lobby for over an hour.
- He spent the afternoon cooling his heels at the doctor's office.
- The reporter cooled her heels outside the meeting room.
dig one's heels in
1stubbornly refuse to change
To refuse strongly to change your opinion or decision.
- The board dug its heels in and rejected the new plan.
- He dug his heels in and refused to apologize.
- Once she digs her heels in, it's hard to change her mind.
down-at-heel
1shabby or badly cared for
Looking poor, dirty, or untidy because things are old or not well cared for.
- He lived in a down-at-heel hotel near the station.
- The area has become down-at-heel in recent years.
- His down-at-heel shoes matched his tired expression.
drag one's heels
1delay or act slowly on purpose
To do something very slowly because you do not want to do it or want to delay it.
- The company has been dragging its heels on climate commitments.
- He dragged his heels about filling out the forms.
- Stop dragging your heels and make a decision.
head over heels
1deeply and suddenly in love
To be very strongly and often suddenly in love with someone.
- Within a week of meeting her, he was head over heels.
- She fell head over heels for her new coworker.
- They are still head over heels in love after ten years of marriage.
kick up one's heels
1have lively fun, celebrate
To enjoy yourself a lot, often by dancing or celebrating in an active way.
- After the exams, the students kicked up their heels at a big party.
- They like to kick up their heels on Friday nights.
- We kicked up our heels at the wedding reception.
on the heels of
1coming immediately after
Happening very soon after something else.
- The announcement came on the heels of several weeks of rumors.
- The scandal broke on the heels of the CEO's resignation.
- A heatwave arrived on the heels of heavy rain.
take to one's heels
1run away quickly
To run away quickly, usually to escape from something.
- The thief took to his heels when he saw the police.
- At the sound of gunfire, the crowd took to its heels.
- The boys took to their heels as soon as the guard appeared.
turn on one's heel
1turn around quickly to leave or face away
To turn around very quickly and sharply, often to leave or show anger.
- She turned on her heel and walked out.
- He turned on his heel without another word.
- Angrily, he turned on his heel and left the room.
under the heel of
1completely controlled or oppressed by
Completely controlled or oppressed by someone or something powerful.
- The region has long been under the heel of a military regime.
- Workers felt they were under the heel of management.
- For years, the town was under the heel of a corrupt mayor.
well-heeled
1rich or financially comfortable
Having a lot of money; rich.
- The fundraiser attracted many well-heeled donors.
- They come from a well-heeled neighborhood.
- Only the well-heeled can afford to live in that area.