tighten the screws
idiomPart ofscrew
tighten the screws — idiom
1. To increase pressure or control over someone or a situation, often making condit
1.idiom
Definition
To increase pressure or control over someone or a situation, often making conditions stricter or more difficult.
Example
The school tightened the screws on late arrivals by locking the gates after the first bell.
Police have tightened the screws on drunk drivers with higher fines and longer licence bans.