zero tolerance

American  

noun

1. a policy of very strict, uncompromising enforcement of rules or laws.

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zero tolerance British  

noun

1. 1. the policy of applying laws or penalties to even minor infringements of a code in order to reinforce its overall importance

   2. ( as modifier )

      a zero-tolerance policy on drugs

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Etymology

Origin of zero tolerance

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

"Everything has to be reviewed from the ground up with one objective: zero tolerance."

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

"There will be zero tolerance for civilians who take the law into their own hands," Maj Gen Avi Bluth said.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

"Export markets demand zero tolerance on pests. Even if inspectors find a single fruit fly, the entire consignment is discarded, leading to huge losses," he says.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

“But when you have this zero tolerance, when the quantity of arrests matters far more than the quality of arrests, you eliminate any ability to have that cooperation.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 31, 2026

When she says something about zero tolerance, Abby squeezes my hand.

From "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli