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 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rule with an iron fist/hand.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Dictionary Entries Near rule with an iron fist/hand

Cite this Entry

“Rule with an iron fist/hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rule%20with%20an%20iron%20fist%2Fhand. Accessed 28 May. 2023.

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