Differences between crack down and knock down
Crack down means to take strict measures to prevent or stop illegal or undesirable behavior, while knock down means to demolish or destroy something physically.
Meanings and Definitions: crack down vs knock down
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Crack down
- 1To take strong action to stop or control something.
The school is cracking down on smoking.
- 2To take strong action to stop or punish something
the first to crack down on any hint of insubordination amongst the junior officers.
Knock down
- 1Demolish.
They KNOCKED DOWN the old church and built a block of flats in its place.
- 2Hit and injure someone.
The car KNOCKED her DOWN and she broke her arm.
Usage Examples: crack down, knock down in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
crack down
Example
The government decided to crack down on illegal activities.
Example
The school cracks down on cheating during exams.
knock down
Example
The construction crew will knock down the old building.
Example
He knocks down the old fence to make room for a new one.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Crack down
To make sure that rules or laws are obeyed by people.
Example
The school principal decided to enforce a new dress code policy to improve the students' appearance.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Knock down
To destroy a building or structure completely.
Example
The old factory was demolished to make way for a new shopping mall.
To level or make something completely flat.
Example
The construction crew used bulldozers to flatten the land before building the new highway.
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “crack”
- crack on
- crack down on
- crack up
Phrasal Verbs with “knock”
Phrasal Verbs with “down”
Differences in crack down vs knock down: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: crack down or knock down?
In everyday conversation, crack down is more common than knock down. This is because crack down is used in a variety of contexts such as law enforcement, politics, and social issues. On the other hand, knock down is mainly used when referring to physical destruction or demolition.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of crack down and knock down
Crack down and knock down are both informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations. However, crack down can also be used in formal settings such as news articles or political speeches. Knock down, on the other hand, is not commonly used in formal contexts.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of crack down and knock down
The tone of crack down is usually serious and authoritative, as it often refers to taking strict measures against illegal or undesirable behavior. In contrast, knock down has a more casual and sometimes playful tone, especially when used in non-literal contexts such as knocking down a bowling pin.
