laying down the law
Asserting firm authority
Laying down the law is telling someone what the rules are in a forceful, authoritative way that doesn't invite discussion: Dad laid down the law about curfew.
The phrase suggests firmness bordering on severity—someone asserting control rather than negotiating.
It can describe parents with children, bosses with employees, or anyone establishing non-negotiable expectations.
- read the riot actSeverely warn of consequences
- ultimatumNon-negotiable final terms
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- final wordConcluding statement in dispute
- directiveFormal command or instruction
enforcement · mandate · zero tolerance · precedent · law and order · dictation · legalism · interpretation · assertiveness · command · dominance · iron fist · no-nonsense · parental · tough love · discipline · house rules · proclamation
laying down the lawsuggesting
Offering an idea indirectly
asking · requesting · hinting · begging · imploring
laying down the lawgoing with the flow
Accepting situations without resistance
bending the rules · compromising · negotiating · looking the other way · playing it by ear