an iron fist in a velvet glove

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an iron fist/hand in a velvet glove

something that you say when you are describing someone who seems to be gentle but is in fact severe and firm To enforce each new law the president uses persuasion first, and then force - the iron hand in the velvet glove.

See also: fist, glove, iron, velvet

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? References in periodicals archive
``What I've learned is that you need to govern with an iron fist in a velvet glove to get anything accomplished. L.A., OAKLAND, D.C. MAYORS DISCUSS CHALLENGES by Daily News (Los Angeles, CA) More results

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