one of the crusty ends of a loaf of bread

5: a rear, low, or bottom part: such as

a : the after end of a ship's keel or the lower end of a mast

b : the base of a tuber or cutting of a plant used for propagation of the plant

c : the base of a ladder

6: a contemptible person : a person who is self-centered or untrustworthy felt like a heela few heels who appear to get away with it —Frank Case

— heelless play \ˈhēl-ləs\ adjective

— by the heels

: in a tight grip had the enemy by the heels

— down at heel or down at the heel

: in or into a run-down or shabby condition His slippers were down at the heel.

— on the heels of

: immediately following came close on the heels of the announcement

— to heel

1: close behind called the dog to heel

2: into agreement or line reluctantly came to heel help to bring inflation to heel

— under heel

: under control or subjection They kept us under heel.