Where does “crackdown” come from?
Crackdown is a noun derived from the phrasal verb crack down, which combines crack and down in English to denote a severe or stern enforcement action.
crackdown (English): Abruptly stern measures or disciplinary action;...
Definitions
- Abruptly stern measures or disciplinary action;...
Ancestry of “crackdown”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | crack down | To take harsh action , as when enforcing a law... |