an iron fist

an iron fist

1. A particularly severe, forceful, and uncompromising manner of ruling, governing, etc.. Tom is in for it now with his wife. She might seem like a nice lady to us, but she runs her house with an iron fist.
2. Someone who rules in such a way. The new leader of the country rose to power with promises of democracy and equality, but he soon proved to be an iron fist as his despotic intentions came to light.
See also: fist, iron

iron fist

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

an iron fist

or

an iron hand

COMMON If you do something with an iron fist or an iron hand, you do it with great force and strength. The Generals have ruled the nation with an iron fist for more than half of its independent existence. Peace was enforced with an iron hand in the conquered territories. Note: You can also talk about the iron fist of or the the iron hand of something. The symbol of their rule was not so much the iron fist of repression as the empty shelves of a failing economy.
See also: fist, iron
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

an iron ˈfist/ˈhand (in a velvet ˈglove)

harsh treatment of somebody that is hidden behind a gentle manner: The president ruled his country by using an iron fist in a velvet glove.
See also: fist, hand, iron
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • an iron fist/hand
  • iron fist
  • iron hand
  • an iron hand
  • an iron hand in a velvet glove
  • an iron fist in a velvet glove
  • an iron fist in the velvet glove
  • toughen up
  • jaw down
  • jaw someone down
References in classic literature
His huge shoulder heaved and he sent an iron fist smash into Magnus's bland Mongolian visage, laying him on the lawn as flat as a starfish.
The Innocence Of Father Brown
The government has threatened to handle the situation with an iron fist. It is necessary to take strict measures against non-taxpayers.
'Tax theft'
Sexual harassment at workplace is a very serious issue that needs to be dealt with an iron fist and thankfully the Pakistan law allows a woman to raise the voice against the wrong things and sexual harassment happened at the workplace.
Women harassment
Chief of the Naval Staff reiterated that any misadventure by the enemy shall be thwarted with an iron fist.
Enemy's any misadventure to be thwarted: Naval chief
Summary: Movie will follow Al Capone as the ruthless businessman and bootlegger who ruled Chicago with an iron fist
Tom Hardy goes bald for 'Fonzo'
Once the President proves their involvement, they will be treated with an iron fist," Andanar said in an interview with radio stationdzRB on Saturday.
Palace: Pols in PDEA narco list face iron fist
He is an Iron Fist that has not completely turned his back from his past, with his desires for vindication and belonging as distractions from his duty.
Enter the Iron Fist
The truth is the assertive McDonnell, an iron fist wearing a newly woven velvet glove, would make a better leader than laid-back Corbyn.
VELVET MAC IS THE LEADER NO ONE GETS TO VOTE FOR
NNA - AL SHARQ AL AWSAT: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques: We will hit with an iron fist anyone who targets our youth He felicitated Muslims on Eid Fitr and confirmed Saudi community works with the state in combating deviant dogmas AL BALAD: Lebanon celebrates Fitr today and condemns Saudi explosions AL ANWAR: UN: Attack on Medina is an attack on Islam AL JOUMHORIYAH: After the Eid...oil, presidency and a special approach towards the displaced AL MOUSTAQBAL: Saudi Monarch calls for protecting youth from fanaticism: We will strike with an iron fist ANNAHAR: Dossiers of security appratuses opened all at once Attacks on patrols and checkpoints in Baalbek R.Z.
NEWSPAPER HEADLINES FOR JULY 6, 2016:
TEHRAN (FNA)- Terrorism cannot be solved through politics, it should rather be hit with an iron fist, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said in a rare speech on Syrian state television.
President Assad: Terror Should Only Be Stricken with Iron Fist
There are no orders for anyone to open fire on any citizen," he said, although he insisted said restoring order is the "absolute priority" and that that can only be achieved by hitting "terrorists with an iron fist".
Assad calls for referendum on new constitution in March
Summary: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has vowed to strike "terrorists" with an iron fist.
Syria's Assad vows to strike with an 'iron fist'
SYRIA'S interior ministry has vowed to "strike back with an iron fist" at what it says is a recent "escalation" of anti-Government terror attacks.
SYRIA TO HIT BACK
DAMASCUS (TAP) - Syrian has vowed to "strike back with an iron fist" after the reporteddeath ofdozens of peopleina blast in the capital, Damascus.
'Dozens dead' in Damascus bombing
"Anybody who takes up the idea of an attack on Iran, should get ready to receive a strong slap and an iron fist" by the Iranian armed forces, said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran warns Israel over strike threat; AROUND THE WORLD