kræk daʊn
neutral
intermediate
- Base verb:
- crack
- Particle:
- down
- Separable:
- No
What does "crack down" mean?
To take strict action to enforce rules or stop undesirable behaviour.
Examples
- The government is cracking down on tax evasion.
- Police cracked down on illegal parking near the school.
- The company cracked down on social media use at work.
- Authorities have started cracking down on counterfeit goods.
How to use it
Almost always followed by 'on'. The noun 'crackdown' is very common.
Similar expressions
clamp down
suppress
crack the whip
Opposites
tolerate
overlook
Related phrasal verbs
- turn down
To reduce the volume, heat, or intensity of something
- bring down
To cause something to fall or collapse
- go down
To decrease in price, level, or amount
- come down
To decrease in price, level, or amount
- break down
To stop working or functioning (machines, vehicles)
- put down
To place something on a surface
Use it in a practice answer
Try "crack down" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.