crackdown
[krak-doun]
- the severe or stern enforcement of regulations, laws, etc., as to root out abuses or correct a problem.
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Origin of crackdown
1930–35, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase crack down
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for crackdown
Contemporary Examples
A crackdown on a Tiananmen scale is on many minds, even if no one has the foggiest idea what Beijing is planning.
In total, nine infants have reportedly seized by the military in the crackdown.
“It dealt with the consequences of the Green Movement crackdown and how it affected the lives of a family,” said Panahi.
Particular bars and nightclubs are earmarked as gay-friendly despite the crackdown, members told The Daily Beast.
Miriam recalls her last conversation with her brother being about him trying to help members of his group escape the crackdown.
Historical Examples
Then there was a crackdown on Catholics, with houses being searched for hiding places for priests.
Our Legal Heritage, 5th Ed.S. A. Reilly
Word Origin and History for crackdown
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper