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Behavior & Approach - Harsh & Strict Treatment

Explore English idioms regarding harsh and strict treatment with examples like "iron fist" and "drive a hard bargain".

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English idioms related to Behavior & Approach
to [take] the bread out of {one's} mouth
to take the bread out of one's mouth
[phrase]

to deprive people of their most basic means of living, particularly via unfair mathods

Ex: The new policy takes the bread out of workers' mouths by cutting their hours without warning. 
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to [rub] salt (in|into) the wound
to rub salt in the wound
[phrase]

to make a difficult or painful situation even worse for someone

Ex: Losing the final was painful enough; their jokes only rubbed salt in the wound. 
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to [drive|strike] a hard bargain
to drive a hard bargain
[phrase]

to be tough and smart in negotiations, insisting on favorable terms to achieve a favorable outcome for oneself

Ex: She drives a hard bargain, so don't expect her to accept the first offer. 
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iron fist
iron fist
[noun]

an attitude or approach that is cruel, and often unrestricted

Ex: The new director ran the department with an iron fist. 
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to [put] {sb} through hell
to put somebody through hell
[phrase]

to cause a person experience great difficulty

Ex: The divorce put the whole family through hell for nearly two years. 
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to [twist|turn] the knife (in the wound|)
to twist the knife (in the wound)
[phrase]

to purposefully make someone suffer more than they already do

Ex: After she lost the election, her rival twisted the knife by calling her campaign a joke. 
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heavy hand
heavy hand
[noun]

the use of excessive force, control, or authority in a way that can be harsh or oppressive

Ex: The mayor's heavy hand turned a small protest into a citywide crisis. 
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iron (hand|fist) in a velvet glove
iron hand in a velvet glove
[phrase]

a person who appears gentle and kind on the outside, but they are firm, resolute, and even ruthless in their actions

Ex: Everyone liked her warm smile, but she was an iron fist in a velvet glove when decisions had to be made. 
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to [cramp] {one's} style
to cramp one's style
[phrase]

to stop someone from acting freely, creatively, comfortably, or in their usual way

Ex: Working in such a strict office really cramped her style. 
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Behavior & Approach
Foresight & PrudenceOverreactionTactBeing Tactful
Improvisation & CompromiseBehaving PolitelyLack of Care or ConsiderationWithout Care or Thought
Reacting or DemandingConversational ResponsesShowing SurprisePaying or Getting Attention
Not Paying AttentionOffensive BehaviorJealousy & CompetitionReaction & Response
Harsh & Strict Treatment
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