velvet glove

noun

1. an outwardly gentle or friendly manner used to disguise one's firm or ruthless determination.

Example Sentences

Bratton claims he was “furious” at the disrespect, but he informed his officers that “I issue no mandates and I make no threats of discipline” because he thought the right touch was “a velvet glove, not a hammer.”

From Washington Post

While it lasted we literally and constantly meet with the “iron hand under the velvet glove.”

From Project Gutenberg

It was only by gentlest degrees that the iron hand of satire made itself felt under the velvet glove of conventional good manners.

From Project Gutenberg

In the practical world there are two conquering forces—the iron hand and the velvet glove.

From Project Gutenberg

The touch of the would-be iron hand in the velvet glove of faded age made him conscious of his vast advantage over her.

From Project Gutenberg

That auspicious day when the velvet glove will be stripped for ever from the cloven hoof of the German Eagle.

From Project Gutenberg