lays down the law
Asserts absolute authority
To lay down the law is to state rules or expectations firmly and authoritatively, brooking no argument: Mom laid down the law about curfew.
The phrase often implies someone is being bossy or heavy-handed: He's always laying down the law about how things should be done.
- dictateGive orders imperiously
- read the riot actSeverely warn of consequences
- declareState officially
- enforceCompel obedience to
- crack the whipAssert stern authority
command · call the shots · dominate · iron fist · order · legislate · reprimand · no nonsense · assert · rule · proclaim · final word · adjudicate · impose · bark · dictum · decree · ultimatum
lays down the lawrequests
Formal expressions of want
proposes · beats around the bush · suggests · asks · hints
lays down the lawbacks down
Withdraws from confrontation
yields · submits · capitulates · gives in · defers
lays, laying, down, downs, downed, downing, downer, lawful, lawyer