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

Mr Museveni is accused by his critics of ruling Uganda with an iron hand since taking power in 1986, but his supporters praise him for maintaining stability in the East African state.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2024

"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

John Bolton met Thursday with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled the nation of 10 million with an iron hand for a quarter century, showing little tolerance to dissent and independent media.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 29, 2019

Ser Jacelyn scratched at his cheek with his iron hand.

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