divide and rule
To gain or maintain power by fomenting discord among people so that they do not unite in opposition. The ascendancy of the faction occurred because they were able to divide and rule—they fooled the other parties into fighting while they rose to power. He's a dictator, so of course he wants to divide and rule ordinary folks like us. The despot knew that, to stay in power, he had to divide and rule by keeping any would-be opponents fractured and powerless through effective disinformation campaigns.
rule
slang To be excellent or exceptionally great; to be the best. Man, this restaurant rules! Everything they make here is absolutely delicious. A: "Did you ever watch 'GoBots' as a kid?" B: "Oh yeah, that show ruled!"
rule against (someone or something)
To issue a judgment that goes against someone's or something's case. The judge ruled against the father, stating that he had not shown adequate reason to have sole custody of the children.
rule for (someone or something)
To issue a judgment that is in someone's or something's favor. The court ruled for the local company, siding with its complaint that the multinational corporation infringed on its copyrighted patents.
rule in
To decide definitively that something will or can possibly happen. (Used especially—and somewhat redundantly—in the phrase "not ruled in or ruled out.") Look, nothing has been ruled in or ruled out at this stage, so we just have to wait until the doctors have more information to work with. We'll neither rule in nor rule out the possibility of a shakeup in management if this branch's profits continue to fall.
rule in favor of (someone or something)
To deliver or pronounce an official or formal judgment that is to the advantage of or approving of someone or something. The court ruled in favor of the local company, siding with its complaint that the multinational corporation infringed on its copyright. The committee ruled in favor of allowing the construction to proceed.
rule OK
To be the best; to be the most dominant or in control; to be the most favored or supported by the public. (Used originally in relation to football clubs or local gangs in graffiti writing.) Primarily heard in UK. Someone had come with a can of black spray paint and crossed out the big "Leeds Rules OK" that was painted on the side of the school. But in this part of the country, the conservatives rule OK with almost no opposition.
rule on (something)
To deliver or pronounce an official or formal judgment or decision regarding. The defendant asked for more time to provide additional evidence before the judge ruled on his case. The committee is expected to rule on the controversial issue in the next week or so.
rule out
To eliminate, prevent, preclude, or cancel someone or something as a possibility. They ruled Jim out when they were considering a replacement manager due to his tendency to show up late. I guess that rules out our trip to Portugal this summer.
rule over (someone or something)
To exercise absolute authority or control over someone or something. The dictator rules over the region with an iron fist. He had visions of ruling over the company when he took the promotion, but he actually had very little power in running the day-to-day operations.
rule the day
To have widespread dominance over thinking or behavior. A: "What, do you want anarchy to rule the day?" B: "I'm talking about one law being unjust—don't be so dramatic." Fear ruled the day after news broke of the attack at the embassy.
rule the roost
To be the real boss; to be the person in charge. You just need to accept that your daughter is going to rule the roost for most of her childhood. For all intents and purposes, it's the assistant manager who rules the roost.
rule the school
slang To be the most popular or influential in one's school. Now that we're seniors, we're going to rule the school! The popular kids always think they rule the school, but not this year!
rule with a rod of iron
To rule, govern, or control a group or population with complete power over all aspects of life, work, etc. He rules with a rod of iron, and moves swiftly to gain control over any entity that is not already in his grasp. She has ruled this company with a rod of iron for three decades, and it's going to be difficult for her to let go of control.
rule with a velvet glove
To rule, govern, or control a group or population in a very permissive, lenient, or flexible manner. A noun or pronoun can be used between "rule" and "with." The principal has been ruling the school with a velvet glove, trusting students to behave and follow the rules of their own accord. Not surprisingly, the place is in near-constant chaos. You can't rule with a velvet glove and expect every employees to put in their full efforts day in, day out.
rule with an iron fist
To rule, govern, or control a group or population with complete, typically tyrannical authority over all aspects of life, work, etc. A noun or pronoun can be used between "rule" and "with." He rules with an iron fist, and moves swiftly to gain control over any entity that is not already in his grasp. She has ruled this company with an iron fist for three decades, and it's going to be difficult for her to let go of control.
rule with an iron fist in a velvet glove
To control, rule, or govern with absolute or tyrannical authority that is disguised as being permissive, liberal, or lenient. A noun or pronoun can be used between "rule" and "with." The patriarch ruled his family with an iron fist in a velvet glove. Everything was smiles and sunshine, unless you made the mistake of ever going against his wishes. Having provided universal healthcare, free education, and abundant employment opportunities, many people are quick to forget the regime's brutal crackdown on any form of dissent. They have made it clear that they intend to rule with an iron fist in a velvet glove.
rule with an iron hand
To rule, govern, or control a group or population with complete, typically tyrannical authority over all aspects of life, work, etc. A noun or pronoun can be used between "rule" and "with." He rules with an iron hand, and moves swiftly to gain control over any entity that is not already in his grasp. She has ruled this company with an iron hand for three decades, and it's going to be difficult for her to let go of control.
rule with an iron hand in a velvet glove
To control, rule, or govern with absolute or tyrannical authority that is disguised as being permissive, liberal, or lenient. A noun or pronoun can be used between "rule" and "with." The patriarch ruled his family with an iron hand in a velvet glove. Everything was smiles and sunshine, unless you made the mistake of ever going against his wishes. Having provided universal healthcare, free education, and abundant employment opportunities, many people are quick to forget the regime's brutal crackdown on any form of dissent. They have made it clear that they intend to rule with an iron hand in a velvet glove.
rule with an iron rod
To rule, govern, or control a group or population with complete, typically tyrannical authority over all aspects of life, work, etc. A noun or pronoun can be used between "rule" and "with." He rules with an iron rod, and moves swiftly to gain control over any entity that is not already in his grasp. She has ruled this company with an iron rod for three decades, and it's going to be difficult for her to let go of control.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.