iron hand

[ ahy-ern hand ]

noun

1. strict, harsh, or autocratic, often ruthless control:

   The general governed the country with an iron hand.

iron hand

noun

1. harsh or rigorous control; overbearing or autocratic force

   he ruled with an iron hand

Word History and Origins

Origin of iron hand¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

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

His critics say Mr Kagame's thundering majorities come as no surprise as he rules with an iron hand.

From BBC

“President Xi in China controls 1.4 billion people, with an iron hand, no drug problems. You know why?”

From Seattle Times

President Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron hand for nearly 30 years, accuses the West of trying to use the vote to undermine his government and “destabilize” the nation of 9.5 million people.

From Seattle Times

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has relied on Russian subsidies and political support to rule the ex-Soviet nation with an iron hand for nearly three decades.

From Seattle Times