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
“It’s nice if you can put a velvet glove over the iron fist.”
From New York Times • Feb. 21, 2018
The haleem, a silky stew of chicken, lentils and grains, is a punch of Pakistani spice delivered with a velvet glove.
From Washington Post • Apr. 25, 2017
An Irish Secretary needs the hand of iron in the velvet glove.
From Ireland as It Is And as It Would be Under Home Rule by Buckley, Robert John
