Wordnet 3.0
NOUN (1)
1.
rigorous or ruthless control;
- Example: "she rules the office with an iron fist"- Example: "it takes an iron fist to contain the dissenting factions"
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
iron fist
n 1: rigorous or ruthless control; "she rules the office with an
iron fist"; "it takes an iron fist to contain the
dissenting factions"