enforce law

You usually use this when talking about authority figures. Think of police, judges, or even your boss at work. You can enforce a specific law, like speed limits. You can also enforce general rules, like a dress code. It sounds strong and official. Use it when you want to sound serious about order.

Use this in professional settings or news discussions. It fits perfectly in a meeting about office policy. You might say, 'We need to enforce the late-arrival policy.' It also works when discussing politics or safety. Use it when someone is ignoring a rule and needs a reminder. It is great for setting boundaries.

Don't use this for light, personal favors. You wouldn't enforce a rule about your friend's Netflix password. It sounds too 'police-like' for casual friendships. Avoid using it for things that aren't official rules. Don't say you are enforcing a law when you are just asking for a snack. It might make you sound like a bit of a 'hall monitor' or a buzzkill.

In English-speaking cultures, there is a big focus on 'The Rule of Law.' This means laws should apply to everyone equally. The phrase enforce law is often in the news. People debate if laws are being enforced fairly or too harshly. It carries a weight of civic duty and social order. It is a very 'Western' concept of justice and structure.

You will often hear law enforcement as a noun. This refers to the police or FBI. You might also hear strictly enforced. This means there is zero tolerance for breaking the rule. If a sign says 'Strictly Enforced,' don't even try to break it! You might get a fine or worse.