clamp down

phrasal verb·1 sense·particle down

Meanings

1

Impose strict control

Pressurerare

Why “down”? Something is pressed down and kept from rising again.

“Authorities clamped down on illegal parking.”
Authorities began strictly enforcing rules against illegal parking.
“The school clamped down on cheating.”
The school began to control cheating strictly.

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Nearby in the meaning map

Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.

bog down

Same down pattern: pressure

Slow or get stuck

bring down

Same down pattern: pressure

Cause something to fall or land; Make something lower in level or amount; Cause a government or leader to lose power; Make someone feel sad or depressed

crack down

Same down pattern: pressure

Take strict action against bad behaviour

face down

Same down pattern: pressure

Confront a challenge or opponent directly

hold down

Same down pattern: pressure

Keep someone or something restrained

hunker down

Same down pattern: pressure

Take cover; settle in low

keep down

Same down pattern: pressure

Prevent from rising or escaping

lay down

Same down pattern: pressure

Put something carefully onto a flat surface; State a rule or principle clearly; Sacrifice or give up something, especially one's life

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