be in force

To be legally enforced or in effect. There was a law like that on the books, but I'm not sure it's still in force. The new law banning plastic bags is set to be in force on the first of May. A: "Are the township's new towing rules in force yet?" B: "Yeah, bro, I wouldn't park here."

See also: force

See also:

a law with no teeth
a law without teeth
law of averages
the law of averages
TOBAL
wipe (something) off the books
get on the wrong side of the law
the letter of the law
letter of the law
a necktie party

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