heavy hand, with a
with a heavy hand
1. In an excessive, authoritarian, or oppressive way or manner. The police dispersed the protesters with a heavy hand. My father always punished us with a heavy hand.
2. In a clumsy or uncoordinated way. People who aren't trained in this discipline often use the tools with a heavy hand.
See also: hand, heavy
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
heavy hand, with a
1. In a clumsy manner, as in You can't use that delicate equipment with a heavy hand. [Mid-1600s]
2. Overbearingly or severely, as in Children brought up with a heavy hand often rebel in later years. [Late 1800s]
See also: heavy
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- with a heavy hand
- a heavy hand
- heavy hand
- jaw (one) down
- jaw down
- jaw someone down
- jawed
- push (one's) weight about
- throw (one's) weight around
- throw your weight about