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

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

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

From Salon • Oct. 9, 2021

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