| gen. |
iron fist (a) Ruthless control. "Josef Stalin ruled the Soviet Union with an iron fist." b) Symbol of an armys tank or cavalry branch Syn: armoured fist, armored fist, mailed fist See Also: ironfisted, iron-fisted. WT. Someone who rules or controls something with an iron fist is in absolute control and tolerates no dissent. An iron fist in a velvet glove is used to describe someone who appears soft on the outside, but underneath is very hard. 'Mailed fist' is an alternative form. UEI. "We all think – and even I think it sometimes – that if we bring order with an iron fist, life will be easier, more comfortable and safer. But in reality, we won't be comfortable for long: the iron fist will soon strangle us all." V.Putin as reported by the BBC Alexander Demidov) |
