lower the boom on

Idioms  

1. Scold harshly or punish severely; also, put a stop to something. For example, If you're caught smoking in school, the principal is bound to lower the boom on you, or The new radar equipment enabled the police to lower the boom on speeding. This expression refers to the boom of a sailboat—a long spar that extends from the mast to hold the foot of the sail. In a changing wind, the boom can swing wildly, leaving one at risk of being struck. [Slang; first half of 1900s]

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Example Sentences

It was left to Mr. Esper to lower the boom on European nations so dependent on exports to China that they are trying to find a balance between Washington’s demands to shun Chinese technology and Beijing’s warnings against being excluded from Europeans markets.

From New York Times

“I think that it’s time for President Trump to lower the boom” on North Korea and its sponsors, he said.

From Fox News

Any time authorities lower the boom on credit-repair firms that allegedly cross the line into predatory practices, that’s a good thing.

From Los Angeles Times

The effort will be welcome should Mr. Trump begin to lower the boom on unauthorized immigrants — though it’s impossible to know the details of what he will do, given the volatility and imprecision of his many immigration-related threats and promises.

From New York Times

Why wouldn’t the county lower the boom on those who harbor bed bugs?

From Washington Times