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.

“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

A Republican colleague, Rep. E. Clay Shaw Jr., once told the Herald that Ms. Meek had “a velvet glove, but sometimes she can have a fist in it. She’s so likable that it’s sometimes disarming.”

From Washington Post • Nov. 29, 2021

After leading with McBride’s iron fist, a union insider said, the group intends to follow up with the velvet glove of more moderate board members.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 2020

As overlord, you can rule your gang with either velvet glove or iron fist.

From The Guardian • Dec. 11, 2019

There might be steel beneath the velvet glove of this fair courtier.

From Prisoners of Chance The Story of What Befell Geoffrey Benteen, Borderman, through His Love for a Lady of France by Parrish, Randall