velvet glove
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.
“That velvet glove can come off, and the people know it can come off,” but mostly, you want them to comply because it feels like “just what has to be.”
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2025
“We’ve got to a point where we can no longer be able to afford the velvet glove diplomacy.”
From Seattle Times • Sep. 16, 2023
Still, within the velvet glove remains an iron fist.
From New York Times • Jan. 13, 2022
As overlord, you can rule your gang with either velvet glove or iron fist.
From The Guardian • Dec. 11, 2019
"Oh," said she with a shiver, "as a little girl I went into the hands of a receiver at least once a month——" "A hand of iron in a velvet glove," murmured Mr. Hemingway.
From It, and Other Stories by Morris, Gouverneur
