big stick
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
President Theodore Roosevelt famously said “speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.”
From Salon ● Jan. 11, 2026
“We don’t go in with the big stick to begin with,” Morling said.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 15, 2024
It is quite common these days to hear those who specialise in Taiwan studies quoting the old maxim from President Theodore Roosevelt to "speak softly and carry a big stick".
From BBC ● Feb. 21, 2024
“Sometimes it seems to say: ‘Well if you don’t like these carrots, we’ve got a big stick as well,” he said.
From New York Times ● Apr. 4, 2023
I took the big stick out of my backpack—a bedpost I’d broken off Crusty’s Safari Deluxe floor model.
From "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan
