crackdown

/ˈkrækdaʊn/
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A strict response by people in authority to stop or punish activity they see as illegal, harmful, or unacceptable.

Examples

  • Police began a crackdown after complaints about street racing.
  • The company announced a crackdown on personal internet use at work.
  • A new crackdown on illegal dumping starts next month.
  • Rights groups condemned the military crackdown on protesters.
  • The government ordered a crackdown on tax fraud.

Similar words

restriction
suppression
disciplinary action
tough measures
enforcement
clampdown
restraint
repression

Meanings

Usage

Crackdown is normally countable and often appears as a crackdown on something. Keep it separate from the verb phrase crack down.

Common mistakes

Crackdown on is replaced by crackdown of, and the verb phrase is wrongly written as one word.

Etymology

Formed from the verb phrase crack down, with the noun recorded from 1935. The phrase is older and combines crack, in a forceful figurative sense, with down.

FAQ

What does crackdown mean?

Crackdown means a strict official or organized effort to stop, punish, or control unwanted activity.

Is crackdown one word or two?

The noun is one word, crackdown. The verb phrase is two words, crack down.

What preposition follows crackdown?

The usual form is crackdown on, as in a crackdown on crime or a crackdown on late payments.

Can crackdown be used outside government or policing?

Yes. A company, school, platform, or organization can have a crackdown on behavior it wants to stop.

Is crackdown always negative?

Not always. Crackdown describes strong action, and the attitude depends on whether the action seems necessary, excessive, or repressive.

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