clamp

clamp¹ [klæmp] v [T]

1.) [always + adverb/preposition]

to put or hold something in a position so that it cannot move

▪ She clamped her hands over her ears.

▪ Creed opened his mouth to speak, then clamped it shut .

2.) clamp sanctions/restrictions etc on sb

to put limits on what someone is allowed to do

▪ The President clamped sanctions on the island after the bomb attack.

3.) [always + adverb/preposition]

to hold two things together, using a clamp

▪ Clamp the two parts together until the glue dries.

4.) also wheel-clamp [usually passive]

BrE to put a clamp on the wheel of a car so that the car cannot be driven away. This is usually done because the car is illegally parked

American Equivalent: boot

▪ He returned, only to discover his car had been clamped.

clamp down phr v

to take firm action to stop a particular type of crime

clamp down on

▪ The police are clamping down on drink-driving offenders.

clamp ²

clamp² n

[Date: 1400-1500; Origin: Probably from an unrecorded Middle Dutch klampe]

1.) a piece of equipment for holding things together

2.) also wheel clamp

BrE a metal object that is fastened to the wheel of a car so that the car cannot be driven away. This is usually done because the car is illegally parked

American Equivalent: boot