lay by the heels

present singular third person lays by the heels · participle present laying by the heels · participle past laid by the heels · past laid by the heels

1. datedidiomaticTo fetter, to shackle; to imprison.

   If you will come with us to-night I shall be able to help you to lay him by the heels.

   1904, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Six Napoleons

   4 more examples

   As I live, If the king blame me for 't, I'll lay ye all By the heels , and suddenly; and on your heads Clap round fines , for neglect

   1613 (date written), William Shakespeare, [John Fletcher], “The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eight”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iii]

   [M]y Lord Chief Justice Keeling hath laid the constable by the heels to answer it next Sessions: which is a horrid shame.

   1668 November 1 (date written; Gregorian calendar), Samuel Pepys, Mynors Bright, transcriber, “October 23rd, 1668”, in Henry B[enjamin] Wheatley, editor, The Diary of Samuel Pepys […], volume VIII, London: George Bell & Sons […]; Cambridge: Deighton Bell & Co., published 1896, →OCLC, page 129

   I […]could not but wonder that none of the Middlesex justices took care to lay some of them by the heels.

   1714 May 31 (Gregorian calendar), Joseph Addison, “The Free-holder: No. 44. Thursday, May 21. [1714.]”, in The Works of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison, Esq; […], volume IV, London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], published 1721, →OCLC

   I read the papers with some attention during my sojourn in France, on the look-out for any chance of laying him by the heels.

   1903, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Empty House