tight hand

The Durande being much driven in, this rider was bent a good deal, and it held the end of the cord as firmly as a tight hand.

He keeps a tight hand over the ship-yard here and over the others too by the harbor of Eunostus.

If John and you had come together, he would have had to keep a tight hand over you, to make you know your place.

I shall be obliged to you, miss, if you'll kindly keep a sharp eye and a tight hand over Milly.

This is not the time for tomfoolery; we want men who will keep a tight hand over us, and make us into fair soldiers.