Meaning & use
heavy hand
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Meaning
nounsingular
The use of too much force, strictness, or control in dealing with people or situations.
Grammar: Typically used in the phrase 'with a heavy hand' or 'the heavy hand of'. It is not used with 'a' in most cases.
Patterns
- with a heavy hand
- the heavy hand of something
The new manager ruled with a heavy hand, and morale quickly dropped.
The heavy hand of the law was felt by everyone in the small town.
She criticized the government's heavy hand in controlling the media.
Common combinations
- rule with a heavy hand
- The dictator ruled with a heavy hand for decades.
- the heavy hand of the state
- People protested against the heavy hand of the state.
- use a heavy hand
- Teachers should not use a heavy hand when disciplining students.
Synonyms and how they differ
- iron fist
- Stronger and more extreme; suggests total, harsh control.
- tight rein
- Focuses on close control rather than force.
Opposites
Commonly confused: heavy hand or heavy-handed?
heavy hand vs heavy-handed
This is an adjective meaning clumsy or overly forceful; 'heavy hand' is a noun phrase.
Practice
The company was accused of managing its employees with a ______.
Choose one answer.
The phrase 'with a heavy hand' is a fixed expression using the singular noun. 'Heavy-handed' is an adjective and would need a different sentence structure.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “heavy hand”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.