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law and order

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noun

strict control of crime and repression of violence, sometimes involving the possible restriction of civil rights.

Origin of law and order

First recorded in 1590–1600
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for law and order

control, law, peace, equanimity, coolness, stillness, calmness, serenity, calm, discipline, decorum, properness, probity, tranquility, peacefulness, quiet, uprightness, propriety, decorousness, suitability
Idioms and Phrases with law and order

law and order

Strict enforcement of laws, especially for controlling crime. For example, Our candidate is always talking about law and order. The concept behind this term was stated by Aristotle. Today, however, it also carries the implication of infringing on civil rights in the course of too arduous law enforcement. [Late 1500s]

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.