velvet

(as) soft as velvet

Exceptionally soft and smooth. I love how your face feels after you shave—it's as soft as velvet! This is my favorite blanket to get snuggled up in at night. It's soft as velvet, and it keeps me nice and warm in bed.
See also: soft, velvet

an iron fist in a velvet glove

A person who has a gentle, sweet, or unassuming appearance or disposition, but who in reality is particularly severe, forceful, and uncompromising. Tom is in for it now with his wife. She might seem like a nice lady to us, but she's an iron fist in a velvet glove. The new leader of the country rose to power with promises of democracy and equality, but as his despotic intentions came to light he soon proved to be an iron fist in a velvet glove.
See also: fist, glove, iron, velvet

an iron hand in a velvet glove

A person who has a gentle, sweet, or unassuming appearance or disposition, but who in reality is particularly severe, forceful, or uncompromising. Tom is in for it now with his wife. She might seem like a nice lady to us, but she's an iron hand in a velvet glove when they're at home. The new leader of the country rose to power by promises of democracy and equality to its citizens, but, as his despotic intentions came to light, he soon proved an iron hand in a velvet glove.
See also: glove, hand, iron, velvet

iron hand

A manner that is severe, forceful, or uncompromising. Grandma runs the house with an iron hand—if you break a rule, you're grounded for weeks.
See also: hand, iron

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.
See also: glove, rule, velvet

the little gentleman in the velvet coat

obsolete, literary A humorous name for the mole. The ground was dotted with tiny hills. "What is it that made these?" I asked my uncle. "Why, the little gentleman in the velvet coat," he replied, suppressing a smile.
See also: coat, gentleman, little, velvet

velvet handcuffs

A situation that is undesirable, unenjoyable, or unfulfilling but that provides enough financial security as to make one unwilling or unable to leave. After nearly three years at my mind-numbing job, held back by the velvet handcuffs of my salary and benefits, I decided to break away from it all and go live in Japan.
See also: handcuff, velvet
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

rule with a velvet glove

Fig. to rule in a very gentle way. She rules with a velvet glove, but she gets things done, nonetheless. He may appear to rule with a velvet glove, but he is really quite cruel.
See also: glove, rule, velvet

*soft as a baby's bottom

 and soft as a baby's backside; *soft as down; *soft as silk; *soft as velvet
Cliché very soft and smooth to the touch. (*Also: as ~.) This cloth is as soft as a baby's bottom. The kitten's fur was as soft as down. Your touch is soft as silk. This lotion will make your skin soft as velvet.
See also: bottom, soft
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

iron hand

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]
See also: hand, iron

velvet

see under iron hand.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

an iron fist in the velvet glove

If you describe someone or something as an iron fist in the velvet glove you mean that they look gentle but in fact they use a lot of force. There is an iron fist in the velvet glove of the charming Irishman as he plots to make Leeds the top team of the new millennium.
See also: fist, glove, iron, velvet
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

the little gentleman in the velvet coat

the mole. humorous
This expression was a toast used by the Jacobites, supporters of the deposed James II and his descendants in their claim to the British throne. It referred to the belief that the death of King William III resulted from complications following a fall from his horse when it stumbled over a molehill. The phrase is found in various other forms, including the wee gentleman in black velvet .
See also: coat, gentleman, little, velvet

an iron hand (or fist) in a velvet glove

firmness or ruthlessness masked by outward gentleness.
See also: glove, hand, iron, velvet
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

iron hand (in a velvet glove), to rule with an

To rule with absolute firmness (concealed by a mild manner). Ruling with iron was an idea expressed in the Bible, in the Book of Revelation: “And he shall rule them with a rod of iron” (2:27). Iron hand in a velvet glove comes from Thomas Carlyle’s Latter-Day Pamphlets (1850) and is there ascribed to Napoleon Bonaparte: “‘Iron hand in a velvet glove,’ as Napoleon defined it.” However, the phrase has been attributed to other rulers, too, among them Charles V. Today it is more often used for lesser authorities, such as a strict parent, but may be dying out.
See also: hand, iron, rule, velvet
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • (as) soft as velvet
  • (as) soft as silk
  • (as) soft as a baby's bottom
  • soft as a baby's bottom
  • (as) soft as a baby's backside
  • (as) soft as down
  • soft in the head
  • soft on (someone or something)
  • soft on someone
  • soft on someone or something
References in classic literature
The triple edging of black velvet strips--her mother's hands had sewn the stitches.
The Valley of the Moon
Tupman in full brigand's costume, with a very tight jacket, sitting like a pincushion over his back and shoulders, the upper portion of his legs incased in the velvet shorts, and the lower part thereof swathed in the complicated bandages to which all brigands are peculiarly attached.
Snodgrass--to the authoress of "The Expiring Frog."' Very few people but those who have tried it, know what a difficult process it is to bow in green velvet smalls, and a tight jacket, and high-crowned hat; or in blue satin trunks and white silks, or knee-cords and top-boots that were never made for the wearer, and have been fixed upon him without the remotest reference to the comparative dimensions of himself and the suit.
The Posthumous Papers Of The Pickwick Club
'Bae Joo-hyeon, Kang Seul-gi, Son Seung-wan, Park Soo-young, Kim Ye-rim, Red Velvet!' Excited screams followed the roll call.
There is OneLuv for Red Velvet
VELVET JUMPSUIT: Luxurious jumpsuit in a soft velvet fabric with a tie detail, side-slit pockets, cinched waist and sweetheart neckline.
Top 10 VELVET JUMPSUITS
Recent research by leading furniture supplier DFS reveals that velvet continues to be a key trend for furniture in Ireland.
Vava Voom [...]; DFS saw 355% increase in sales of velvet coverings on chairs and sofas between 2017 and 2018
Stretch velvet's luxurious texture attracts attention on its own.
VELVET affair: Go plush this season! Sew stretch velvet like a pro with these tips and tricks
ISLAMABAD -- With the winter warm clothes demand on rise elsewhere in Pakistan , Embroidered Velvet dresses and shawls for Ladies with glamorous finishing touch are also most suitable and hot-selling item in Bazaars, as Velvet can never go out of fashion.
Embroidered Velvet dresses, shawls most hot-selling item in Bazzars: report
ISLAMABAD -- With the winter warm clothes demand on rise, embroidered velvet dresses and shawls for ladies with glamorous finishing touch are also most selling item in bazaar as velvet can never go out of fashion.
'Velvet' dresses most popular selling item in Winter: Report
Velvet made a comeback on the catwalks a couple of seasons ago after years of oblivion, top fashion houses Alexander Wang and Oscar de la Renta both paraded models in stunning velvet creations in deep dark shades.
Velvet revolution; Style on Sunday; Catwalk comeback feels just great
Give your home a luxurious makeover with opulent cushions, drapes and throws in the softest material around Velvet footstool with storage PS70, Ikea Geo velvet rug PS45-PS95, Next Adelie purple ribbed velvet cushion PS65, Habitat Luxury crushed velvet throw PS49.99, Very.co.uk Table lamp PS45, John Lewis Berry cuddler sofa PS1,199, DFS Lustre solid runner PS27.50, West Elm Seat cushions PS8.99, H&M Velvet lamp shades PS24.99 each, H&M Velvet bedspread PS99.99, patterned cushion PS25, pink cushion PS20, all Made Newbury sofa in Gosford velvet deep red PS1,499, Marks and Spencer Lupe velvet swivel chair PS595, Oliver Bonas
Va-Va velvet
14 November 2018 - Canadian exploration and production company Velvet Energy Ltd.
Velvet Energy Closes Acquisition of Canadian Natural Gas Firm Iron Bridge
ISLAMABAD: With the winter season kicking in, embroidered velvet shawls for Ladies with glamorous finishing touch are most suitable and hot-selling item in bazaars, as velvet can never go out of fashion.
Embroidered 'velvet shawls' in vogue this winter : Report
Solicitor Velvet McMillan, 28, has already won over some of TV's top reality show stars with her handmade Italian shades.
The future's so bright, I've got to make shades; DESIGNER'S SUNGLASSES A HIT WITH CELEBS Solicitor quits job to set up fashion firm