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Phrasal verbs "crack down" vs "put down"

Differences between crack down and put down

Crack down means to take strict action against illegal or unacceptable behavior, while put down means to stop or suppress a rebellion, protest, or uprising.

Meanings and Definitions: crack down vs put 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.

Put down

  • 1Kill an animal because it's old, ill, etc..

    He had his dog PUT DOWN because it was in a lot of pain from its tumours.

  • 2Stop holding ( but withdraw support gently ).

    PUT the gun DOWN slowly and keep your hands where I can see them.

Usage Examples: crack down, put 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.

put down

Example

Please put down your bags on the floor.

Example

She puts down her phone when she's talking to someone.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Crack down

clamp down

To take strict measures to prevent or control something undesirable.

Example

The government decided to clamp down on illegal immigration by increasing border security.

enforce the law

To ensure that people follow the rules and regulations set by the government or authority.

Example

The police department is responsible for enforcing the law and maintaining public safety.

take action

To do something to address a problem or situation.

Example

The school principal promised to take action against bullying and harassment in the school.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Put down

quell the rebellion

To suppress or end a rebellion or uprising.

Example

The government sent troops to quell the rebellion and restore order in the city.

suppress the protest

To prevent or stop a protest or demonstration from happening.

Example

The police used tear gas to suppress the protest and disperse the crowd.

crush the uprising

To forcefully put an end to an uprising or revolt.

Example

The military was ordered to crush the uprising and restore the government's control over the region.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

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Phrasal Verbs with “crack”

Differences in crack down vs put down: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: crack down or put down?

In everyday conversation, crack down is more commonly used than put down. This is because crack down is used in various contexts such as law enforcement, education, and business. On the other hand, put down is mainly used in political or historical contexts.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of crack down and put down

Crack down and put down are both informal phrases often used in casual conversations. However, crack down can be used in formal settings such as news reports or official statements. Put down is less common in formal settings and may sound outdated.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of crack down and put down

The tone of crack down and put down can differ based on context. Crack down often carries a serious or authoritative tone when related to enforcing rules or regulations, while put down typically has a negative or violent tone, especially when referring to suppressing a rebellion or protest.

crack down & put down: Synonyms and Antonyms

Crack down

Synonyms

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