velvet glove

While it lasted we literally and constantly meet with the “iron hand under the velvet glove.”

It was only by gentlest degrees that the iron hand of satire made itself felt under the velvet glove of conventional good manners.

In the practical world there are two conquering forces—the iron hand and the velvet glove.

The touch of the would-be iron hand in the velvet glove of faded age made him conscious of his vast advantage over her.

That auspicious day when the velvet glove will be stripped for ever from the cloven hoof of the German Eagle.