ASBO
ASBO
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling
/ˈæz.boʊ/
Syllable Breakdown
A (/ˈæz/):
/æ/ (as in "cat")
/z/ (as in "zoo")
SBO (/boʊ/):
/b/ (as in "bat")
/oʊ/ (as in "boat")
Word Form Variations
ASBO is a noun and typically refers to the order itself. While it's sometimes used informally in other contexts, its primary variations are:
Singular: ASBO
Plural: ASBOs (less common, as it often refers to a single type of order)
It's important to note that ASBO is predominantly used as a noun and does not have common verb, adjective, or adverb forms. When referring to someone receiving an ASBO, you would typically say "issued an ASBO" or "given an ASBO."
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
An official legal injunction issued by a court in the United Kingdom to an individual who has engaged in persistent or serious anti-social behavior, aiming to prevent them from continuing such actions. These orders impose specific restrictions on the individual's activities or movements.
Synonyms: injunction, court order, restraining order (in a broader sense, though ASBOs are specific to anti-social behavior), ban, prohibition.
Antonyms: approval, permission, authorization, sanction (in the sense of approval).
(Informal, often derogatory) A person who has been subject to an Anti-Social Behaviour Order, or by extension, a person perceived as habitually engaging in anti-social conduct.
Synonyms: troublemaker, hooligan, delinquent, disruptive individual, lout.
Antonyms: law-abiding citizen, model citizen, upstanding individual, conformist.
Examples of Use
In Books:
"On his 18th birthday, Lionel Pepperdine became Lionel Asbo, which was chosen after many run-ins with the law beginning at age three years, two days for a serious attempt to torch a pet shop. He was so often diagnosed with ASBO (Anti-Social Behaviour Order) that he thought the acronym was a logical name choice." (Martin Amis, Lionel Asbo: State of England, 2012) - This example shows the word used in a fictional context, playing on the common association of the term with persistent troublemakers.
In Newspapers:
"The Age of the ASBO: How Britain Became a Police State" (VICE, October 2017) - This headline indicates the term's widespread recognition and its connection to a broader societal discussion about civil liberties and policing.
"Magistrates issued him with an ASBO banning him from the town centre for two years after a string of public order offences." (Example based on common newspaper reporting) - This illustrates the typical reporting of an ASBO being granted to an individual.
"Concerns were raised by local residents that teenagers congregating in the park were causing a nuisance, prompting calls for ASBOs to be considered." (Example based on common newspaper reporting) - This shows ASBOs being discussed as a potential solution to community issues.
In Online Publications:
"Anyone over the age of 12 can be given an Antisocial Behaviour Order (ASBO) if they behave antisocially. Behaving antisocially includes: drunken or threatening behaviour, vandalism and graffiti, playing loud music at night, driving in an inconsiderate or careless way – such as drivers congregating in an area for racing." (mygov.scot, June 2025) - This provides a governmental explanation of what an ASBO is and what types of behavior it targets.
"ASBOs were the flagship policy at the heart of New Labour's crime crackdown. Introduced in 1998, they allowed councils to apply to the courts to prevent individuals from engaging in all kinds of non-criminal behaviours, such as shouting, spitting, or even entering certain areas, as long as it was likely to cause 'harassment, alarm or distress'." (VICE, October 2017) - This online article details the historical context and initial intent of ASBOs.
In Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"The ASBO became a punitive zeitgeist of its time becoming rooted in popular culture." (Source: "Punitive Reform and the Cultural Life of Punishment: Moving from the ASBO to its Successors," Queen's University Belfast) - While not a direct example of a specific piece of entertainment, this academic paper highlights that the term permeated popular culture. This would manifest in:
Television Comedies/Dramas: Characters might jokingly refer to someone as an "ASBO" or imply they're "due an ASBO" for minor misbehavior. News parodies or satirical shows might feature segments about unusual or controversial ASBOs.
Music: While less common, certain grime or punk artists, particularly those from the UK, might have referenced ASBOs in their lyrics to depict social issues or a rebellious stance. (Example based on general cultural trends in UK music.)
In General Public Discourse:
"He's acting like a right ASBO, constantly making noise and leaving rubbish everywhere." (Casual conversation) - Used informally as a derogatory term for someone displaying anti-social behavior.
"The police really need to give that lot an ASBO; they're causing nothing but trouble for the neighbourhood." (Community meeting discussion) - Here, "ASBO" is used as a proposed solution to local disruptive behavior.
10 Famous Quotes Using ASBO
"The ASBO was designed to tackle low-level, persistent anti-social behaviour." (Tony Blair, former UK Prime Minister, reflecting on the policy)
"There is a danger that the ASBO is becoming a badge of honour rather than a deterrent." (David Blunkett, former UK Home Secretary, The Guardian, November 2004)
"The ASBO was a classic New Labour policy – it promised to be tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime." (John Denham, former Labour MP, The Guardian, October 2010)
"We will abolish the ASBOs and replace them with new, more effective powers." (Theresa May, then Home Secretary, The Telegraph, July 2010)
"An ASBO for a child who swore at a teacher is not the answer." (Shami Chakrabarti, then Director of Liberty, BBC News, February 2007)
"The ASBO became a symbol of a particular approach to public order." (Professor Adam Crawford, University of Leeds, in academic discussion on the topic)
"You give someone an ASBO, and what's next? A criminal record? It's a slippery slope." (Attributed to a community youth worker in UK media discussions)
"The ASBO has become a catch-all for all sorts of minor infractions." (Lord Woolf, former Lord Chief Justice, in reports on judicial views)
"The public wanted action against anti-social behaviour, and the ASBO was our response." (Attributed to a Labour government spokesperson during the period of ASBO implementation)
"The abolition of the ASBO marks a significant shift in how we tackle anti-social behaviour." (Chris Grayling, then Justice Secretary, Gov.uk, October 2014)
Etymology
The word "ASBO" is a great example of an acronym, which means it's a word formed from the first letters of other words.
The full phrase that "ASBO" stands for is "Anti-Social Behaviour Order."
First Known Use and Meaning:
This term and the legal order it represents originated in the United Kingdom. The first known use of "ASBO" in written form dates back to 1997, appearing in publications like the Glasgow Herald.
However, the legal framework that officially introduced Anti-Social Behaviour Orders was the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. So, while the term might have been used slightly before, its official meaning and widespread use began with this Act.
In its initial meaning, an ASBO was a civil order (meaning it wasn't a criminal conviction in itself, but a preventative measure) issued by a court against an individual. The purpose was to stop people from engaging in specific "anti-social" actions that caused harassment, alarm, or distress to others. These actions could be anything from making excessive noise to vandalism or threatening behavior. If someone broke the rules of their ASBO, it would then become a criminal offense, leading to more serious penalties.
Phrases + Idioms Containing ASBO
"To be issued an ASBO": The most direct and common phrase, meaning a court has imposed an Anti-Social Behaviour Order on someone.
"To get an ASBO": An informal way of saying "to be issued an ASBO."
"ASBO generation": A phrase often used, sometimes derogatorily, to refer to young people perceived as being prone to anti-social behavior, particularly during the period when ASBOs were prevalent.
"ASBO-like behavior": Describing actions that are disruptive, annoying, or anti-social, even if they don't warrant an actual ASBO.
"An ASBO for their mouth": An informal, humorous (or exasperated) expression suggesting someone talks too much, too loudly, or offensively, implying they need a restriction on their speech. (Original phrase)
"He's an ASBO waiting to happen": Suggesting someone's current behavior is so disruptive they're likely to receive an ASBO soon. (Original phrase)
"Beyond an ASBO": Implying someone's behavior is so extreme it goes beyond what an ASBO could effectively manage, perhaps indicating criminal activity. (Original phrase)
"To put a legal curb on behavior": (Using a synonym, "curb," for a similar effect of restricting actions, akin to an ASBO).
"To slap a ban on them": (Using "ban" as a synonym, reflecting the restrictive nature of an ASBO).
"A troublemaker's charter": (This idiom, while not using ASBO directly, relates to the debate around whether ASBOs were effective or, ironically, gave notoriety to those receiving them. "Troublemaker" is a common informal synonym for someone who might receive an ASBO).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of ASBO from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
