an iron fist

Meaning

1. Oxford100% of films

   if you use the words an iron fist / hand when describing the way that sb behaves, you mean that they treat people severely. This treatment may be hidden behind a kind appearance (the velvet glove).

   the country has been ruled with an iron fist by the Herrera family.

In the movies · 4

• Hynkel the dictator ruled the nation with an iron fist.The Great Dictator1940
• the country has been ruled with an iron fist by the Herrera family.The Suicide Squad2021
• who fix the situation with an iron fist...The Boondock Saints1999
• And the iron fists of the orc.The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers2002
• Anyway, the point is, you won't wear it untiI you Iearn how to ruIe with an iron fist.The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie2004

From the same entry

• have several, irons in the fire
• pump iron
• rule with a rod of iron
• strike while the iron is hot
• iron out