crack down

verb

1. to take severe measures (against); become stricter (with)

noun

1. severe or repressive measures

Idioms and Phrases

Act more forcefully to regulate, repress, or restrain. For example, The police cracked down on speeding . [1930s]

Example Sentences

"We are cracking down on violence against women and creating safer streets," she said.

From BBC

His “hard middle” approach, which focused on prioritizing public safety and working with police to crack down on violent criminals without completely eschewing reform-minded policies, also worked well, Irwin said.

From Los Angeles Times

So far, Newsom has tried to thread the needle, promoting the economic benefits of trade with Mexico through California while continuing to tout state efforts to crack down at the border.

From Los Angeles Times

"She will focus on ensuring that SBA is accountable to Taxpayers by cracking down on waste, fraud, and regulatory overreach," he wrote.

From Salon

The bipartisan group of senators was trying to crack down on the charges, which lawmakers call junk fees and airlines often frame as “unbundling.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• confine
• constrain
• curb
• curtail
• detain
• deter
• govern
• hamper
• hinder
• inhibit
• keep down
• kill
• limit
• prevent
• repress
• restrict
• subdue
• suppress