CLAMP DOWN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does clamp down mean? 

• CLAMP DOWN (verb)
  The verb CLAMP DOWN has 1 sense:

1. repress or suppress (something regarded as undesirable)

  Familiarity information: CLAMP DOWN used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CLAMP DOWN (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Repress or suppress (something regarded as undesirable)

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

clamp down; crack down

Context example:

The police clamped down on illegal drugs

Hypernyms (to "clamp down" is one way to...):

bound; confine; limit; restrict; throttle; trammel (place limits on (extent or amount or access))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

clampdown (sudden restriction on an activity)