law and order


noun

strict control of crime and repression of violence, sometimes involving the possible restriction of civil rights.

Origin of law and order

First recorded in 1590–1600

Words nearby law and order

Idioms and Phrases with law and order

law and order

Strict enforcement of laws, especially for controlling crime. For example, Our candidate is always talking about law and order. The concept behind this term was stated by Aristotle. Today, however, it also carries the implication of infringing on civil rights in the course of too arduous law enforcement. [Late 1500s]