noun

crackdown

crackdown, clampdown, suppression

The government announced a crackdown on tax evasion.

The government announced a crackdown on tax evasion.

There was a police crackdown on illegal parking.

There was a police crackdown on illegal parking.

a crackdown on ((sth.)) a period of severe and sudden action to prevent (sth.) The government launched a crackdown on corruption.

Synonyms: clampdown, suppression, offensive

From the verb 'to crack' (break sharply) and 'down'. It evokes the image of forcefully breaking or suppressing something.

Imagine the sound of a whip 'cracking down' on illegal activity. This links the sound to the idea of severe enforcement.

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