取り締まる
とりしまる · torishimaru · JLPT N1 · verb-godan
to crack down
🔒 取 (grab) + 締 (tighten) = grab hold and tighten: crack down, keep things under control
取る means to take hold of something, and 締める means to tighten. Together they describe tightening your grip on a situation to control it, as in police crackdowns or supervising staff.
取 — ear 耳 + hand 又
取 originally depicted a hand (又) grasping an ear (耳), referencing the ancient practice of soldiers cutting off enemies' left ears as proof of kills to claim rewards. The meaning broadened from 'seize/take by force' to the general sense of 'take, get, obtain' used today.