law and order

noun

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

law-and-order

noun

1. modifier favouring or advocating strong measures to suppress crime and violence

   a law-and-order candidate

Word History and Origins

Origin of law and order¹

First recorded in 1590–1600

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Related Words

• calm
• calmness
• coolness
• equanimity
• serenity
• stillness