crack down
Get tough on
To crack down is to enforce rules or laws more strictly, typically after a period of leniency or neglect: Police are cracking down on speeding in school zones.
The noun crackdown describes such an effort: The government announced a crackdown on tax evasion.
The phrase implies increased severity—authorities who crack down have decided tolerance has gone too far.
- enforceCompel obedience to
- law enforcementUpholding legal codes
- restrainLimit freedom of movement
- rein inLimit or control
- stamp outForcefully eliminate or suppress
get tough · suppress · police · limit · zero tolerance · take action · regulation · punishment · penalty · arrest · bring to justice · confine · compliance · raid · drug bust · round up · surveillance · oversight
crack downlook the other way
Willfully ignore misconduct
turn a blind eye · let slide · permissiveness · tolerate · overlook
crack downliberalize
Reduce restrictions on
deregulate · free up · emancipate · unleash · loosen up