Definition

1. Noun:
   • A severe or repressive action or series of actions, especially by authorities to stop or control an activity: A "crackdown" refers to strong, often sudden, measures taken by those in power (like police or government) to enforce laws or rules more strictly, typically to suppress illegal or undesirable activities.

Usage

• A "crackdown" is typically used to describe official, organized efforts to impose control or order. It often implies a significant increase in enforcement intensity.
• It is commonly followed by the preposition "on" to specify the target of the action (e.g., a crackdown crime, corruption, protests).

Examples

• Noun:
  • The government announced a crackdown on tax evasion.
  • Police launched a crackdown against organized crime in the city.
  • The new crackdown on illegal parking resulted in hundreds of fines.

Advanced Usage

• "to launch/mount a crackdown": to begin or initiate a severe repressive action.
  • Authorities have launched a crackdown on smuggling operations.
• "a sweeping crackdown": a wide-ranging and comprehensive repressive action.
  • The regime carried out a sweeping crackdown on political dissent.
• "a crackdown is underway": indicates that a repressive action is currently happening.
  • A major police crackdown on gang violence is underway.

Variants and Related Words

• Crack down (phrasal verb): The verb form from which the noun is derived, meaning to take severe measures.
  • The city is cracking down on littering.

Synonyms

• Clampdown: A sudden action taken to restrict or stop an activity.
• Suppression: The action of putting an end to something by force.
• Repression: The restraint, prevention, or inhibition of something.

Related Phrases

• "a get-tough policy": A policy characterized by strict enforcement, similar in spirit to a crackdown.
  • The mayor's get-tough policy on graffiti is a form of crackdown.

Noun

1. severely repressive actions