Meaning trap
clamp down on
take strict action against
to start dealing with something much more strictly, especially to stop bad or illegal behavior.
phrasal verbB2common
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
take strict action against
to start dealing with something much more strictly, especially to stop bad or illegal behavior.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- The school decided to clamp down on cheating after several students were caught.law
- In my opinion, the government should clamp down on companies that pollute the environment to protect public health.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: clamp down on + noun/gerund
WrongThey clamped down speeding.
RightThey clamped down on speeding.
'Clamp down ON something'.
Patternclamp down on + noun/gerund
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Implement stringent enforcement measures against' is press-release-formal; 'clamp down on' is natural.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
clamp down ononcrimespeedinghard
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'crack down on', but both mean to take strong action to stop something.