come down upon

C1 formal inseparable transitive

In simple words

to act against someone very strongly

Literal meaning: to move downward onto a person or thing

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic formal

uncommon

to criticize or condemn someone harshly

"Editorial writers came down upon the minister after the scandal."

Grammar: inseparable

2 C1 idiomatic formal

rare

to punish or attack someone with force or authority

"The regime came down upon its opponents without warning."

Grammar: inseparable

Usage notes

This is much less common than 'come down on' and sounds more formal, literary, or old-fashioned in some contexts.

offenders heretics critics opponents sinners wrongdoers

Base

come down upon

I/you/we/they

3rd person

comes down upon

he/she/it

Past simple

came down upon

yesterday

Past participle

come down upon

have + pp

-ing form

coming down upon

continuous

Try:

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condemn punish attack be severe with clamp down on

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