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clamp

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clamp down (on someone or something)

to become strict with someone; to become strict about something. Because Bob's grades were getting worse, his parents clamped down on him. The police have clamped down on speeders in this town.

See also: clamp, down

clamp something on(to) something

 and clamp something on

to press or squeeze something onto something else. Clamp this board onto the workbench. Clear a place near the edge of the table, and then clamp on the meat grinder.

See also: clamp, on

put the clamps on someone or something

 and put the clamps on

Sl. to impede or block someone or something; to restrain or restrict someone. Fred had to put the clamps on Tony, who was rushing his work too much. Tony is getting a little anxious. Time to put on the clamps.

See also: clamp, on, put

clamp down on something

to act to stop or limit something Police here have finally clamped down on speeding.

See also: clamp, down, on

clamp down on

Also, put the clamps on. Become stricter or more repressive; put a stop to. For example, The company was clamping down on expenses like business lunches, or It's time we put the clamps on polluters. [Mid-1900s]

See also: clamp, down, on

clamp down

v.

1. To press down tightly on something: Clamp down the pipe securely before you try to drill a hole in it. I glued the strip of wood to the surface and clamped it down while it dried.

2. To prevent or regulate something with increased strictness: The cartel clamped down on oil production in order to raise prices.

3. To punish or repress someone or something with increased strictness: The government plans to clamp down on tax fraud with tough new laws. Crime began to increase, so the police started clamping down.

See also: clamp, down

put the clamps on someone/something

and put the clamps on

tv. to impede or block someone or something; to restrain or restrict someone. Fred had to put the clamps on Tony, who was rushing his work too much.

See also: clamp, on, put

put the clamps on

verb

See put the clamps on someone/something

See also: clamp, on, put