to crack down
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to crack down
To take decisive and strict measures in order to restore order, enforce rules, or counteract an undesirable development.
Nach wiederholten Verstößen kündigte die Schulleitung an, härter durchzugreifen.
After repeated violations, the school administration announced that it would crack down harder.
'Durchgreifen' (to crack down) is a separable verb. The prefix 'durch' comes at the end in a main clause, but remains attached to the verb in a subordinate clause.
Der neue Chef greift bei Unpünktlichkeit sofort durch.
The new boss cracks down immediately on lateness.
The verb consists of 'durch' (through) and 'greifen' (to grasp). While 'greifen' means to grasp, 'durch' here reinforces the idea of decisiveness and overcoming resistance.
Die Eltern mussten bei ihrem Sohn durchgreifen, damit er seine Hausaufgaben macht.
The parents had to crack down on their son so that he would do his homework.
'Durchgreifen' (to crack down) is often used with the preposition 'gegen' + accusative to say what the strict measures are directed against.
Die Polizei will härter gegen Drogenhandel durchgreifen.
The police want to crack down harder on drug trafficking.
to intervene / engage
Eingreifen generally refers to actively influencing a situation in order to change or stop an undesirable development. Durchgreifen emphasizes that decisive and often strict measures are used. Eingreifen is appropriate for a general intervention, while durchgreifen is more suitable when rules are being enforced consistently.
Die Schulleiterin griff durch, nachdem die Schüler trotz mehrerer Warnungen weiter gegen die Regeln verstießen.
The principal cracked down after the students continued to break the rules despite several warnings.
Die Schulleiterin griff ein, nachdem es auf dem Schulhof wiederholt Streit gegeben hatte.
The principal intervened after there had been repeated arguments in the schoolyard.
