come down on

1. Also, come down upon.

2. Also, come down hard on . Punish or reprimand severely. For example, My professor is going to come down on me for not completing the paper , or The judge promised to come down hard on drug dealers . [Early 1600s] Also see like a ton of bricks .

3. Oppose, voice one's opposition, as in The President came down on the new budget cuts, promising to veto them . [Late 1800s]

4. come down on the side of . Make a choice or decision in favor of, plump for, as in I'll come down on the side of those who are needy .

Example Sentences

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr suggested during a podcast appearance that the FCC might come down on broadcasters that didn’t take action against Kimmel.

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“Eventually, the heat is going to come down on this.”

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A 2024 report by a state oversight body found that California regulators are late to investigate complaints at treatment facilities or to come down on unlicensed facilities advertising services that require a license.

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“If the administration were to say they’re going to come down on every business owner who has hired someone in violation of U.S. law, I think that would politically be a bad decision,” she said.

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"If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before," he warned.

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Related Words

• jump on 
• scold