crack down on

Take firm action

To crack down on something is to enforce rules or laws more strictly, often after a period of leniency: Police are cracking down on speeding in school zones.

The phrase implies sudden or intensified action against violations that were previously tolerated or overlooked: The IRS is cracking down on cryptocurrency tax evasion.

Related

raid · protest · civil disobedience · human rights · fine · prosecution · zero tolerance · get tough · suppress · enforce · deterrence · dissent · defiance · censorship · freedom of speech · regulation · compliance · bust

Opposites
enforcement and tolerance

crack down onlook the other way

Willfully ignore misconduct

tolerate · ignore · let slide · condone · let off the hook

regulatory pressure

crack down onderegulate

Remove official controls

liberalize · legalize · decriminalize · permit · allow

support and opposition

crack down onencourage

Urge forward with support

promote · facilitate · enable · support · foster

Family

down, crack, cracked, breakdown, crackers, cracker, cracks, downs, lockdown

Familiarity
Top 50,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G