come down on

To criticize or punish someone strongly because they have done something wrong.

• My boss came down on me for being late.
• The coach comes down on players who miss practice.
• Why did your parents come down on you so hard?

How to use it: come down on someone for something (The teacher came down on him for cheating.)

Similar words: tell off, punish, criticize

Common phrases: come down on someone, come down on mistakes

To put strong pressure on people to obey a rule or stop an activity.

• Police are coming down on illegal parking.
• The government came down on factories that broke safety rules.
• Schools should come down on cheating during exams.

How to use it: come down on someone over something (Officials came down on the company over unpaid taxes.)

Similar words: crack down on, pressure

Common phrases: come down on someone, come down on cheating

To attack someone or keep treating them in a threatening or cruel way.

• The gang came down on him outside the shop.
• They came down on the new boy every day.
• The attackers came down on anyone who tried to help.

How to use it: come down on someone (The gang came down on anyone who refused to obey.)

Similar words: attack, harass

Common phrases: come down on someone, come down on outsiders

To make someone feel deeply sad.

• Sadness came down on me that evening.
• A terrible loneliness came down on him after the funeral.
• Old memories come down on her when the house grows quiet.

How to use it: come down on someone (A deep sadness came down on her after the visitors left.)

Similar words: sadden, depress

Opposites: cheer

Common phrases: come down on someone, come down on me