rule with an iron fist/hand

idiom

chiefly US

: to rule a country, area, group, etc., in a very strict and often cruel way

The dictator ruled (the country) with an iron fist.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

But despite modernizations, these monarchs rule with an iron fist. —Ruby Mellen, Washington Post, 4 May 2023

Iranian-Americans and Iranians within the country, who have long championed an Iran free from the mullahs who rule with an iron fist, have placed question marks over Biden’s human rights promises. —Fox News, 29 Dec. 2022

Rose Abdoo, Polly Draper) and over which Ms. Smart is likely to rule with an iron fist in an iron glove. —John Anderson, WSJ, 10 May 2022

The elite rule with an iron fist—and a giant spleen. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2022

Up until recently, it was accepted practices for CEOs, executives and middle managers to rule with an iron fist. —Jack Kelly, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2022

According to stories at the time, and in years to follow, Trester’s style of leadership was to rule with an iron fist. —Kyle Neddenriep, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Aug. 2021

Cuomo’s micro-managerial style is to rule with an iron fist, mainly through DeRosa. —Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, 10 Aug. 2021

Coaches inclined to rule with an iron fist must weigh whether their methods may cause key players to seek sanctuary through the NCAA’s transfer portal. —Tim Sullivan, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2021

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