clamp down

clamp  (klmp) n. 1. Any of various devices used to join, grip, support, or compress mechanical or structural parts. 2. Any of various tools with opposing, often adjustable sides or parts for bracing objects or holding them together. tr.v. clamped, clamp·ing, clamps 1. To fasten, grip, or support with or as if with a clamp. 2. To establish by authority; impose: clamped a tax on imports. Phrasal Verb: clamp down To become more strict or repressive; impose controls: clamping down on environment polluters. [Middle English, from Middle Dutch klampe.]

clamp top to bottom: parallel and C-clamps

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clamp down

vb (intr, adverb; often foll by on)

to behave repressively; attempt to repress something regarded as undesirable

n clampdown

a sudden restrictive measure

Thesaurus

Verb

1.

clamp down - repress or suppress (something regarded as undesirable); "The police clamped down on illegal drugs" crack down confine, limit, throttle, trammel, restrain, restrict, bound - place limits on (extent or access); "restrict the use of this parking lot"; "limit the time you can spend with your friends"

Translations

? clamp down

vt sep (lit) → festmachen

vi (fig, on expenses etc) → gewaltig bremsen (inf); (police, government) → rigoros durchgreifen