iron rule
Unyielding dictatorial control
An iron rule is a principle or guideline considered rigid and unbreakable: The iron rule of budgeting is to spend less than you earn.
The metaphor suggests the hardness and inflexibility of iron—unlike a mere suggestion or soft guideline, an iron rule admits no exceptions.
Often used interchangeably with iron law.
- inflexibilityQuality of being unbending
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
- rigidityState of being unbending
- autocracyRule by one
- despotismAbsolute one-person rule
decree · mandate · martial law · law and order · regimentation · steadfastness · hard and fast · no exceptions · zero tolerance · oppression · statute · axiom · absolutism · code · canon · tyranny · totalitarianism · dominance
iron ruledemocracy
Rule by the people
self-governance · popular sovereignty · democratic governance · anarchy · laissez-faire
iron rulepermissiveness
Tolerance of behavior others forbid
leniency · soft touch · tolerance · indulgence · clemency
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