big stick
Threat of force
Big stick refers to the threat or use of military or political force, especially by a powerful nation.
The phrase comes from Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy maxim "speak softly and carry a big stick"—negotiate diplomatically but back it up with credible power.
The administration's big stick approach to trade negotiations alienated allies.
- RooseveltFamous presidential surname
- speak softlyVocalize at low volume
- teddy bearSoft ursine plaything
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- power playStrategic leverage attempt
club · cudgel · Monroe Doctrine · brinkmanship · show of force · bludgeon · force · iron fist · rough · interventionism · foreign policy · hegemony · Panama Canal · deterrence · leverage · navy · arsenal · imperialism
- power metaphorsiron fist, iron grip, reins, puppet master, pulling strings
- Patriotic Phrasesland of the free, home of the brave, stars and stripes, red white and blue, united we stand
- Gun Slanggat, piece, heater, strap, rod
big stickdiplomacy
Negotiation between nations
carrot · olive branch · soft power · sweet talk · negotiation
big sticksoft power
Influence through appeal
cultural diplomacy · foreign aid · hearts and minds · multilateralism · coalition building
big, stick, sticky, stuck, sticks, sticker, bigger, biggest, sticking