vamp on v.
1. to make an unjust attack on, to arrest.
 | Middletown (N.Y.) Press 31 July 🌐 The Zemels, it [i.e. a flier] stated, ‘were burned by the promoters’ and were threatened with jailing and fines. ‘They’re doing everything possible to keep the people of the festival alive. Above all they don’t want the pigs (police) vamping on the people.’. | |
![[US]](/static/img/flags/us.png "United States") | Ringolevio 263: He knew that if he planned some sort of happening in the park to take place after dark without legal permission, the cops would vamp on the people who gathered and a lot of heads would be broken. | |
| Runnin’ Down Some Lines 2: Irvine done vamped on me and my partner. |
2. when aimed at the oppressor, to correct; to force him to mend his ways [esp. popular with 1960s–70s radicals].
| Seize the Time 32: They knew he’d vamp on them if they got it wrong. |