iron grip
Total control metaphor
An iron grip is a hold so firm it cannot be broken or escaped.
The phrase describes both literal grasping—He seized my arm in an iron grip—and figurative control: The regime maintained an iron grip on the media.
Iron suggests unyielding strength; the grip that won't let go.
- steelCarbon-hardened iron alloy
- viseMounted clamping tool
- clenchSqueeze tightly shut
- strangleholdOppressive, unbreakable control
- controlAuthority to direct
domination · fist · clutch · squeeze · white knuckle · unrelenting · ruthless · tight · firm · hold · no escape · power · authority · strong arm · clasp · locked · crushing · tenacious
- power metaphorsreins, puppet master, pulling strings, stranglehold, upper hand
- gripshandgrip, grasp, pincer grasp, choking up, overgrip
- Superhuman Strengthsuper strength, divine strength, unstoppable force
- strengthstrength, might, brawn, power, muscle
- Hard Thingsrock, stone, diamond, metal, steel
- geopoliticsbalance of power, bipolarity, bloc, blocs, brinkmanship
iron griplaissez-faire
Noninterference in commerce
permissiveness · free rein · soft touch · benign neglect · anarchy
iron gripletting go
Releasing one's grasp
release · detachment · emotional distance · freedom · liberation
iron, grip, irons, ironed, ironing, ironclad, grips, gripped, gripping