To/Toward Heel

Question

"To heel" is very much standard English used to mean "to a position behind someone.".  Could "toward heel" work too?  Could these be the same?"His cat came to heel.""His cat came toward heel."

Avangi · Accepted Answer

My guess is that in the expression "to heel," "to" is the infinitive particle and not a preposition.

That is, "Teach your dog to heel." Not, "Bring your dog to heel." (Sorry, I'm not a dog trainer -- I'm only a dog lover!)

(I know there are those who consider the infinitive particle a preposition, but that seems bizarre to me.)

Jhumjhum · Answer

I think both are incorrect

heel can be used as verb :

With object

to follow at the heels of; chase closely.

to furnish with heels, as shoes.

to perform (a dance) with the heels

Golf . to strike (the ball) with the heel of the club.

to arm (a gamecock) with spurs.

Without object

(of a dog) to follow at one's heels, on command.

to use the heels, as in dancing.

There is a phrase: at one's heels,means close behind one:

Also at heel can be used like :The police are at his heels.

GainRain · Answer

Thank you for your answer, Avangi.

According to this dictionary: the "to" in "to heel" is a preposition. But because of the similarity between "to" and "toward", I curious about "toward heel.". Maybe I am wrong.

Avangi · Answer

GainRain"To heel" is very much standard English used to mean "to a position behind someone."

I have a feeling there's something wrong with this statement.
When used in this sense, "heel" is a verb. I agree with Jhumjhum to that extent.
I'd say it means "to assume a position behind someone." ("To assume" is another verb.)

If I command someone, "Go to my heel!" then yes, "to" is used as a preposition, and you could perhaps substitute "toward."
"Go toward my heel." ("Heel" is a noun here.)

But that's not the way we use the verb, "to heal." We give a command to the dog: "Heel!"
If we say one man is heeling another, I think we mean to imply that he's following the man like a dog.

Perhaps the usage you have in mind is regional. I'm not sure how it's used in other countries.

Perhaps we're misunderstanding each other about the word "to."
If I say, "Please define the verb 'to heel'," I'm not using "to" in the traditional sense of a preposition. I'm using it as the infinitive particle.
I tried to run faster. "To" is not a preposition here. I cannot substitute "toward." ***(I tried toward run faster.)***

You could say, "To heel" is very much standard English used to mean 'to keep to a position behind someone'."
"Keep" is the verb here. The first "to" is the infinitive particle, and the second "to" is the preposition.
And yes, you could conceivably say "to keep toward a position behind someone," but I doubt anyone would.

Rgdz, - A.

To/Toward Heel

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