formal if you are under someone's heel, they have complete control over you.
For nine years this isolated community lived under the heel of China.
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under (one's) heel
Subservient to one; under one's complete control. I'm really sick of feeling like I'm living under your heel. I'm allowed to think for myself.Ted's been under Randy's heel for so long, I'm not sure he's going to be able to manage his life now that he's on his own.