iron fist in a velvet glove
суровость, прикрываемая любезностью, "железная рука в бархатной перчатке"
The government officials used an iron fist in a velvet glove to settle the conflict.
Другие идиомы:
- hand over fist
- control (someone) with an iron fist
- rule (someone) with an iron fist
- closefisted (with money)
- all thumbs
- armpit of (somewhere)
- bite one's nails
- come/go away empty-handed
- cross (someone's) palm with silver
- elbow (someone) out of (something)
- someone's fingerprints are on (something)
- give (someone or something) the thumbs up
- grease (someone's) palm
- hang on by one's fingernails
- hard on (someone's) heels