crack the whip
The phrase "crack the whip" originates from the literal act of using a whip to control animals and has evolved to describe exerting authority to ensure compliance and efficiency.
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🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2Workplace
(informal, idiomatic)To use one's authority to demand greater effort or productivity from others.
Example
- The new manager really knows how to crack the whip to get things done.
B2General
(idiomatic)To enforce strict control or discipline in a group or situation.
Example
- When the project fell behind schedule, the team leader had to crack the whip.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "crack the whip":
whip incrack outwhip the catcrack offwhip handcrack opencrack onwhip upcrack throughbring to heelwhip outcrack a smilecrack upfair crack of the whip