Lay down the law

Meaning

Give strict instructions or enforce rules.

Usage

Used when authority figures set boundaries.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Legal language about enforcing rules.

Used widely in parent and supervisor contexts since the 19th century.