Decision & Control - Obedience

Discover how English idioms like "toe the line" and "come to heel" relate to obedience in English.

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to [dance] to {one's} tune [phrase]

to do things as desired or required by someone else

Ex:

to [have] {sb} by the balls [phrase]

to have power and influence over someone

Ex:

like sheep [phrase]

in a way that closely imitates what the others are doing in an unquestioning manner

Ex: The fashion industry often dictates trends , and consumers follow them like sheep , without considering their own personal style or preferences .

{one's} (wish|word) [is] {one's} command [sentence]

used to demonstrate one's complete obedience

Ex:

to [have] {sb} (in the palm|eating out) of {one's} hand [phrase]

to have someone under one's complete domination or control

Ex:

under {one's} thumb [phrase]

completely under one's direct control

Ex:

to [wrap|twist|wind] {sb} around {one's} (little|) finger [phrase]

to manage to convince someone to do whatever one asks of them out of love or respect that they have for one

Ex:

at {one's} beck and call [phrase]

at someone's complete service

Ex: The wealthy businessman had a team of staff at his beck and call , ready to assist him with any matter , day or night .

to [come] to heel [phrase]

to accept to obey someone

Ex: The rebellious teenager refused to come to heel and constantly challenged the authority figures in his life .

to [say|give] the word {~noun} [phrase]

to order someone to do something for one

Ex:

to [bring] {sb} to heel [phrase]

to use force to make someone do as one says

Ex:

[have] {sb} by the short hairs [phrase]

to have complete control over another individual

Ex:

to [toe] the line [phrase]

to unwillingly obey the rules and accept the ideas or principles of a specific group or person

Ex: The team captain reminded the players to toe the line and follow the coach 's instructions for a chance at victory .

Decision & Control
Under Control	Out of Control	Losing Control	Being in Charge
Force & Obligation	Obedience	Choices & Decisions	Decisiveness
Indecisiveness	Dependency