Have teeth
verb
To be effective or powerful.
The new law will have teeth if it is backed by stringent penalties.
Often appears as...
- legislation has teeth
- rules have teeth
Usage tips
Formal, Approving
verb
To have the ability to cause changes.
This new regulation has teeth and will significantly alter the way we conduct our business.
Often appears as...
- policy has teeth
- decisions have teeth
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To be effective or powerful.
The new law will have teeth if it is backed by stringent penalties.
Often appears as...
- legislation has teeth
- rules have teeth
Usage tips
Formal, Approving
verb
To have the ability to cause changes.
This new regulation has teeth and will significantly alter the way we conduct our business.
Often appears as...
- policy has teeth
- decisions have teeth
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Enforcement Power
Refers to a law or rule's ability to be imposed effectively.
The environmental law has teeth due to the heavy fines for non-compliance.
Pro Tip 2/3Serious Consequences
Indicates that there will be significant penalties if the rule is broken.
Beware, the company's new policy has teeth—violators will be suspended immediately.
Pro Tip 3/3Implying Urgency
Suggests the matter is important and requires immediate attention.
The boss said the guidelines have teeth and must be applied at once.
Pro Tip 1/3Enforcement Power
Refers to a law or rule's ability to be imposed effectively.
The environmental law has teeth due to the heavy fines for non-compliance.
Pro Tip 2/3Serious Consequences
Indicates that there will be significant penalties if the rule is broken.
Beware, the company's new policy has teeth—violators will be suspended immediately.
Pro Tip 3/3Implying Urgency
Suggests the matter is important and requires immediate attention.
The boss said the guidelines have teeth and must be applied at once.
Pro Tip 1/3Enforcement Power
Refers to a law or rule's ability to be imposed effectively.
The environmental law has teeth due to the heavy fines for non-compliance.
Pro Tip 2/3Serious Consequences
Indicates that there will be significant penalties if the rule is broken.
Beware, the company's new policy has teeth—violators will be suspended immediately.
Pro Tip 3/3Implying Urgency
Suggests the matter is important and requires immediate attention.
The boss said the guidelines have teeth and must be applied at once.
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