Idioms

an iron fist

an iron fist

1. A particularly severe, forceful, and uncompromising manner of ruling, governing, etc. Tom is in for it now with his wife. She might seem like a nice lady to us, but she runs her house with an iron fist. The teacher has an iron fist. If you break any rule at all, you get detention for a week! The dictator has ruled the country with an iron fist since his military coup in 1987.
2. proverb Someone who rules in such a way. The new leader of the country rose to power with promises of democracy and equality, but he soon proved to be an iron fist as his despotic intentions came to light. He's an iron fist, that's why he moves swiftly to gain control over any entity that is not already in his grasp.
See also: an, fist, iron
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

an iron fist

or

an iron hand

COMMON If you do something with an iron fist or an iron hand, you do it with great force and strength. The Generals have ruled the nation with an iron fist for more than half of its independent existence. Peace was enforced with an iron hand in the conquered territories. Note: You can also talk about the iron fist of or the the iron hand of something. The symbol of their rule was not so much the iron fist of repression as the empty shelves of a failing economy.
See also: an, fist, iron
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

an iron ˈfist/ˈhand (in a velvet ˈglove)

harsh treatment of somebody that is hidden behind a gentle manner: The president ruled his country by using an iron fist in a velvet glove.
See also: an, fist, hand, iron
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
See also:
References in classic literature
His huge shoulder heaved and he sent an iron fist smash into Magnus's bland Mongolian visage, laying him on the lawn as flat as a starfish.
The government has threatened to handle the situation with an iron fist. It is necessary to take strict measures against non-taxpayers.
Sexual harassment at workplace is a very serious issue that needs to be dealt with an iron fist and thankfully the Pakistan law allows a woman to raise the voice against the wrong things and sexual harassment happened at the workplace.
Chief of the Naval Staff reiterated that any misadventure by the enemy shall be thwarted with an iron fist.
Summary: Movie will follow Al Capone as the ruthless businessman and bootlegger who ruled Chicago with an iron fist
Once the President proves their involvement, they will be treated with an iron fist," Andanar said in an interview with radio stationdzRB on Saturday.
He is an Iron Fist that has not completely turned his back from his past, with his desires for vindication and belonging as distractions from his duty.
The truth is the assertive McDonnell, an iron fist wearing a newly woven velvet glove, would make a better leader than laid-back Corbyn.
TEHRAN (FNA)- Terrorism cannot be solved through politics, it should rather be hit with an iron fist, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said in a rare speech on Syrian state television.
There are no orders for anyone to open fire on any citizen," he said, although he insisted said restoring order is the "absolute priority" and that that can only be achieved by hitting "terrorists with an iron fist".
SYRIA'S interior ministry has vowed to "strike back with an iron fist" at what it says is a recent "escalation" of anti-Government terror attacks.
"Anybody who takes up the idea of an attack on Iran, should get ready to receive a strong slap and an iron fist" by the Iranian armed forces, said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Copyright © 2003-2025 Farlex, Inc Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.