an iron hand in a velvet glove
US /æn ˈaɪərn hænd ɪn ə ˈvelvɪt ɡlʌv/
UK /æn ˈaɪərn hænd ɪn ə ˈvelvɪt ɡlʌv/
1.
戴着天鹅绒手套的铁腕, 外柔内刚
a person who is outwardly gentle but inwardly firm and unyielding
:
•
The new manager has an iron hand in a velvet glove; she's polite but gets things done.
新经理是一个戴着天鹅绒手套的铁腕人物；她很有礼貌，但能把事情办好。
•
Despite his gentle demeanor, the CEO ruled the company with an iron hand in a velvet glove.
尽管他举止温和，但这位首席执行官以戴着天鹅绒手套的铁腕管理着公司。