rod

a lightning rod (American)

someone or something that takes all the blame for a situation, although other people or things are responsible too. In a harsh economic climate, raises for teachers have become a lightning rod for criticism. (often + for)

See also: lightning

make a rod for your own back (British)

to do something that is likely to cause problems for you in the future. People say that if you let your baby sleep in your bed with you for the first few months, you're just making a rod for your own back.

See also: back

rule (someone) with a rod of iron (British, American & Australian, American & Australian)

to control a group of people very firmly, having complete power over everything that they do. For 17 years she ruled the country with a rod of iron. My uncle rules the family business with an iron hand.

See also: iron, rule