in force
prep_phrase1
With a substantial number of men capable of exerting force or of making a show of force.
- 1977-1980, Lou Sullivan, personal diary, quoted in 2019, Ellis Martin, Zach Ozma (editors), We Both Laughed In Pleasure Patrick was a cabbie & a dispatcher at Yellow Cab & when we got to the church where the [funeral] services were being held, the cabbies came out in force for Pat & there were at least 30 cabs pulling into the church parking lot.
- The police arrived in force at dawn to raid the drug lab.
2
With a substantial display of resources.
- They made the presentation in force to try to impress the client.
- Some of the old laws against treason are no longer in force.
- Related terms
- in full force