Meaning trap
clamp down on
suppress expression
to limit or suppress the expression of opinions, ideas, or dissent, especially in a way that restricts freedom or open debate.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to limit or suppress the expression of opinions, ideas, or dissent, especially in a way that restricts freedom or open debate.
'clamp down on' also has the more basic meaning 'take strict action against'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- The government was widely criticized for clamping down on independent journalism.politics
- Some argue that clamping down on online criticism undermines democratic values and stifles healthy debate.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: clamp down on + [abstract noun/uncountable] (e.g. dissent, criticism, free speech)
WrongThey clamped down to journalists.
RightThey clamped down on journalists.
'Clamp down ON [people / expression]'.
Patternclamp down on + [abstract noun/uncountable] (e.g. dissent, criticism, free speech)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Suppress the expression of dissenting opinion' is academic; 'clamp down on' is the natural verb.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
clamp down ondissentfree speechthe pressprotest
Don't confuse it
Unlike the B2 sense, which focuses on strict action against illegal or bad behavior, this C2 sense refers to suppressing expression, ideas, or dissent, often with a negative evaluation of the restriction.
Related
- clamp down on (take strict action against) — 'clamp down on' also has the more basic meaning 'take strict action against'; this is the advanced sense.