Phrasal Verb: Clamp down on
English Meaning: Act strictly to prevent something
Hindi Meaning: सख्ती से रोकना
The phrasal verb “clamp down on” is used when someone (especially an authority) takes strong or strict action to control or stop something undesirable, illegal, or harmful.
What Does “Clamp down on” Mean?
“Clamp down on” means:
To take firm action to stop or limit an activity, especially one that is against the rules or law.
In Hindi, this translates to “सख्ती से रोकना”, suggesting strict measures or control to prevent something from continuing.
Example:
The government is clamping down on illegal construction.
Hindi: सरकार अवैध निर्माण पर सख्ती से रोक लगा रही है।
How to Use “Clamp down on” in Sentences
Example 1: The school decided to clamp down on late arrivals.
Hindi: स्कूल ने देर से आने वालों पर सख्ती करने का निर्णय लिया।
Example 2: Police are clamping down on drunk driving.
Hindi: पुलिस शराब पीकर गाड़ी चलाने पर सख्ती कर रही है।
Example 3: The company clamped down on social media use during work hours.
Hindi: कंपनी ने कार्य समय के दौरान सोशल मीडिया के उपयोग पर सख्ती कर दी।
Example 4: Authorities are clamping down on fake news.
Hindi: अधिकारी फर्जी खबरों पर सख्ती कर रहे हैं।
Example 5: The manager clamped down on unnecessary breaks.
Hindi: मैनेजर ने अनावश्यक ब्रेक्स पर सख्ती कर दी।
Common Mistakes When Using “Clamp down on”
❌ Incorrect: The teacher clamped the noise down.
✅ Correct: The teacher clamped down on the noise.
❌ Incorrect: Government clamps down illegal work.
✅ Correct: Government clamps down on illegal work.
Questions for Test
- What does “clamp down on” mean in simple English?
- Translate: “The city clamped down on water wastage.”
- Use “clamp down on” in a sentence related to workplace discipline.
- What is the Hindi translation of “clamp down on”?
- Can “clamp down on” be used in legal or official communication?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Is “clamp down on” formal or informal?
A. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in news, policies, and rules.
Q. Can it be used for personal matters?
A. It is mostly used in contexts where authority or control is involved, such as rules, law, or organization settings.
Q. What’s the origin of “clamp down on”?
A. It comes from the physical action of tightening a clamp to hold something in place—symbolically, it means applying strict control or restriction.