come down on

The phrase "come down on" is versatile and can be used in various contexts including criticism, decision-making, and enforcement.

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Definition

B2General

(common)To criticize or punish someone harshly.

Example

The teacher came down on the student for cheating during the exam.

C1Legal

(formal)To enforce rules or laws strictly.

Example

The new administration plans to come down on tax evasion with severe penalties.

C1Debate

(formal)To make a decisive judgment in favor of or against a particular side.

Example

After much consideration, the committee came down on the side of the new policy.

C1Informal

(slang, informal)To attack or harass someone.

Example

He felt like everyone was coming down on him for his mistake.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "come down on":

bring down on come down come down to fall down on get down on bring down descend upon call down get down come down with send down fall upon fall on go down look down on hail down go down with lower the boom come on down come under rain down strike down shoot down climb down comb down come on to fall down take down cast down talk down drop into put down slap down keep down throw down come off fall to land on make down down with smash down beat down cut down get on to drop down set down charge down drop behind let down come at come upon come off it take down a notch come to get the drop on back down lay into knock down move down argue down weigh down cut down to size ride down get on fall into