lower the boom on

Idioms and Phrases

Scold harshly or punish severely; also, put a stop to something. For example, If you're caught smoking in school, the principal is bound to lower the boom on you , or The new radar equipment enabled the police to lower the boom on speeding . This expression refers to the boom of a sailboat—a long spar that extends from the mast to hold the foot of the sail. In a changing wind, the boom can swing wildly, leaving one at risk of being struck. [ Slang ; first half of 1900s]