In Britain, Clamping Is Something Done to Your Car
A clamp is a device that holds things tightly together. In British English it also names the wheel lock fitted to illegally parked cars.
A clamp is a device for holding things firmly together. In British English it also means the yellow wheel lock fitted to a badly parked car — a *wheel clamp*, where American English says *boot* or *Denver boot*. Getting clamped is a familiar British complaint that translates badly across the Atlantic. Figuratively, to *clamp down* is to impose strict control, an image of pressure applied from above.
- A holding device. *A G-clamp.*
- A wheel lock (British). *The car was clamped.*
- To hold tightly. *Clamp the joint.*
- Clamp down — to impose control. *Clamp down on fraud.*
- Clampdown — the noun. *A clampdown on speeding.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | clamp | A steel clamp. |
| Plural | clamps | Two clamps. |
| Verb | clamp | Clamp it down. |
| Past | clamped | It was clamped. |
| Noun | clampdown | A clampdown. |
- Clamp the boards while the glue sets.Workshop.
- His car was clamped outside the station.British.
- Ministers promised a clampdown.Figurative.
British and American car words
- Clamp (UK) — boot (US), the wheel lock
- Boot (UK) — trunk (US), the luggage space
- Bonnet (UK) — hood (US)
- Windscreen (UK) — windshield (US)
- Petrol (UK) — gas (US)
Middle English, probably from Middle Dutch *klampe*, a clamp or hook, related to *clip* and *clump*.
What is a wheel clamp?
A locking device fitted to a wheel to stop a vehicle being driven away, usually for illegal parking. Americans call it a boot.
What does clamp down mean?
To impose strict control on something, especially a rule that had been applied loosely.