crack down

• IPA^(key): /kɹæk ˈdaʊn/

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crack down (third-person singular simple present cracks down, present participle cracking down, simple past and past participle cracked down)

1. (idiomatic, often with 'on') To take harsh action (against), as when enforcing a law more stringently than before.

   Coordinate term: clamp down

   The authorities are trying to crack down on drunk driving during the holidays.

   At this point they're hoping that the government will crack down and will put an end to deceptive rental offerings.

   • 2009, Kevin J. Anderson, The Ashes of Worlds:

     He wished he had tens of thousands more troops under Andez's control so he could round up every one of these demonstrators. But it was futile to continue cracking down. The stunnings, beatings and arrests had only inflamed them further.

• crackdown (noun)