an iron fist in a velvet glove
an iron fist in a velvet glove
firmness or ruthlessness masked by outward gentleness.
RELATED IDIOMS :
make a good fist of
do something to a specified degree of success – informal
1998 - Times - An opening stand of 99 by Hancock and Hewson helped Gloucestershire to make a decent fist of it yesterday.
make a poor fist of
do something to a specified degree of failure – informal
an iron fist in a velvet glove :
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