iron fist

collocation in English

meaningsofironandfist

These words are often used together. Click on the links below to explore the meanings. Or,see other collocations withiron.
iron
noun
uk
/aɪən/us
/aɪrn/
a chemical element that is a common greyish-coloured metal. It is strong, used in making steel, and exists in very small amounts ...
See more atiron
fist
noun[C]
uk
/fɪst/us
/fɪst/
a hand with the fingers and thumb held ...
See more atfist

(Definition ofironandfistfrom theCambridge English Dictionary© Cambridge University Press)

Examplesofiron fist

These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
They argue that, despite transitions to democracy, the police still use anironfist(mano dura) approach to law enforcement.
From theCambridge English Corpus
It's hard to see how theironfistis going to make these happen.
From theCambridge English Corpus
Fourthly, along with theironfistthere needs to be offered, above all by policemen themselves, the velvet glove of friendship.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I have heard their tactics described as theironfistin the velvet glove.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It is like the difference between theironfistand the velvet glove.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I hope that he will take the gloves off and deal with this matter with anironfist.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It has been crushed and theironfisthas come down again.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I had the feeling while he was speaking—and this is most unlike him—that he was using anironfiston the amendment.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
However, on both occasions, he has shown nakedly theironfistinside it.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I agree that the state should have in reserve anironfist, which it can use in certain circumstances.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
He looks closely at the form of tendering that is put forward by those authorities which eventually succumb to hisironfistand his threats.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It would be better to achieve that by diplomacy than by theironfist.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Is it not about theironfistof central control?
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Soeharto ruled it with anironfistuntil 1998.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Anironfistis needed to dig coal, certainly, but it is quite clear that no velvet glove need now be part of conventional dress at the negotiating table.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
The exchanges which have been going on in the last five minutes or so have been all about whether behind this clause is theironfist.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
They took over 7 major prison facilities across the island and ruled them with anironfist.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
Through his training, he develops anironfisttechnique.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
He controls the school he attends with anironfist, forcing his classmates to pay protection fees for their safety.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
He ruled with anironfist.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
Want to learn more?
Go to the definition ofiron
Go to the definition offist
See other collocations withiron