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.

“We don’t go in with the big stick to begin with,” Morling said.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 15, 2024

“I had a big stick, and I was banging on the box, really whaling on it. So he wasn’t just plopped on his feet. Because I wanted him to be alighting down to the ground.”

From New York Times • Jan. 26, 2022

All the commitments are voluntary - there is no big stick.

From BBC • Nov. 2, 2021

Despite the big stick, keeping the quiet has never been easy.

From Salon • Oct. 9, 2021

The Honda was bumping its way up a hill, and the limbs looked like long fingers on big stick hands trying to get in and grab him.

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds