an iron hand in a velvet glove
US /æn ˈaɪərn hænd ɪn ə ˈvelvɪt ɡlʌv/
UK /æn ˈaɪərn hænd ɪn ə ˈvelvɪt ɡlʌv/
1.
戴著天鵝絨手套的鐵腕, 外柔內剛
a person who is outwardly gentle but inwardly firm and unyielding
:
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The new manager has an iron hand in a velvet glove; she's polite but gets things done.
新經理是一個戴著天鵝絨手套的鐵腕人物；她很有禮貌，但能把事情辦好。
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Despite his gentle demeanor, the CEO ruled the company with an iron hand in a velvet glove.
儘管他舉止溫和，但這位首席執行官以戴著天鵝絨手套的鐵腕管理著公司。