28 - I can talk about crime

• in broad daylight = at a time of day when it is not dark or beginning to get dark (often used when you are surprised to see sth at this time of day)
• be on the lookout for sb/sth = be looking carefully for sth/sb in order to find them
• hold sth up = use violence to steal from a shop, bank, etc.
• lie in wait (for sb) = hide while waiting to surprise, attack or catch sb
• at gunpoint = while being threatened with a gun
• make off with sth = steal sth and hurry away with it in order to escape
• step sth up = increase the amount of speed of sth
• in the wake of sth = coming soon after or following sth
• crack down (on sth/sb) = try harder to prevent an illegal activity and deal severely with those caught doing the activity
• in possession of sth = having or owning sth, often sth that is illegal or important
• nip sth in bed = stop a bad situation from becoming worse by taking action at an early stage of its development
• press charges (against sb) = officially accuse sb of commiting a crime
• clear sb's name = prove that sb did not do sth that they were accused of
• tighten sth up = make a law, rule or system more strict
• go on the offensive = begin to take action against sb who is attacking or criticizing you, or sth you think is undesirable
• lead sb astray = be a bad influence on sb and make them do sth silly or criminal
• go/be under cover = pretend to be sb else in order to find out secret information
• phase sth out = gradually stop using sth over time
• tip sb off = give sb a warning or secret information
• on the up = increasing, or improving
• in the clear = no longer believed to be guilty of sth bad or illegal
• clean up your act = start behaving in a more moral and responsible way