strong-arm man

strong-arm man

A typically large, strong man hired to provide protection, act as an enforcer, or coerce others through physical intimidation or violence. After leaving the Marines, I got some work as a personal strong-arm man for a wealthy entrepreneur. The mob sent over some strong-arm men to force the local business owner into paying protection money. The company had hired a bunch of strong-arm men to protect the development site from protestors.
See also: man
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

strong-arm man

n. a bully; a man who is employed to use physical power to force someone to do something. Wilbur is Mr. Gutman’s strong-arm man.
See also: man
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • terrorize
  • terrorize (one) into (something)
  • goon
  • goon squad
  • enforcer
  • any (one) worth (one's) salt
  • strong-arm tactics
  • young man
  • keel over
  • torture into
References in periodicals archive
A former US ambassador to Baghdad, Negroponte has long held the reputation of being America's diplomatic strong-arm man.
SOFA Draft Circulating In US Congress
The Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) was the major point on the agenda, as Negroponte has long held the reputation of being America's diplomatic strong-arm man.
Clearing the roadblocks for US-Iraq agreement
A short while later, police responded to a call and found the second strong-arm man, also wounded.
Fireworks
Hanks plays Michael Sullivan, a strong-arm man for local mob boss John Rooney, played by Paul Newman.
JONATHAN ROSS AT THE MOVIES: TOM'S BIG HIT
By all means improve security at their offices, but don't let them hide behind a strong-arm man.
Routledge : Tough on the voter