iron hand

American  

[ahy-ern hand] / ˈaɪ ərn ˈhænd /

noun

1. strict, harsh, or autocratic, often ruthless control.

   The general governed the country with an iron hand.

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iron hand British  

noun

1. harsh or rigorous control; overbearing or autocratic force

   he ruled with an iron hand

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iron hand Idioms  

1. Rigorous control, as in He ruled the company with an iron hand. This usage is sometimes put as iron hand in a velvet glove, meaning “firm but seemingly gentle control,” as in She runs the town with an iron hand in a velvet glove. [c. 1700]

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Etymology

Origin of iron hand

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

iron hand

Museveni's critics say he has ruled with an iron hand since he seized power as a rebel leader in 1986.

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2025

Tribal leader Wilson “sometimes ruled with an iron hand, but sometimes on Pine Ridge that was necessary.”

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 26, 2023

"There's a very strict regime of censorship that relies a lot on self-censorship, but the iron hand of repression is there to enforce it," he said.

From Reuters ● Dec. 2, 2022

Otherwise, corruption inevitably will reign with an iron hand and a steel boot.

From Slate ● May 19, 2022

Strapped to the stump of his right wrist was an iron hand.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin