clampdown

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree English clamp downdeverb. English clampdown Deverbal from clamp down.

1. A sudden repressive or punitive restriction or control.

   “The suspension of the writ of habeas corpus is merely one step towards the imposition of martial law, toward a total clampdown on all forms of peaceful struggle for meaningful change.”

   “There is already in the EU a clamour for barriers against competing products from Eastern Europe and Asia, and for a Europe-wide clampdown on 'aliens'.”