Harsh & Strict Treatment: English Vocabulary List

to deprive people of their most basic means of living, particularly via unfair mathods

"The new law took our bread."

"The aggressive expansion of the large corporation threatened to take the bread out of the mouths of local small businesses."

to make a difficult or painful situation even worse for someone

"Don't rub salt into wound."

"After he had already lost the competition, his rival's taunting comments were like rubbing salt into the wound."

to be tough and smart in negotiations, insisting on favorable terms to achieve a favorable outcome for oneself

"She drives a hard bargain."

"The car salesman drives a hard bargain but I finally managed to get the price down slightly."

an attitude or approach that is cruel, and often unrestricted

"She ruled with iron fist."

"The new manager's approach was characterized by an iron fist, leaving no room for employee input or flexibility."

to cause a person experience great difficulty

"The exams put me through hell."

"The constant delays and bureaucratic hurdles put the entire team through hell during the project's development phase."

to purposefully make someone suffer more than they already do

"Don't twist the knife."

"After he had already lost his job, his former boss's condescending remarks felt like twisting the knife in the wound."

the use of excessive force, control, or authority in a way that can be harsh or oppressive

"The teacher used heavy hand."

"The government's heavy hand in regulating small businesses stifled innovation and led to widespread resentment among entrepreneurs."

a person who appears gentle and kind on the outside, but they are firm, resolute, and even ruthless in their actions

"She has an iron hand in velvet glove."

"The diplomat skillfully negotiated the treaty, displaying an iron hand in a velvet glove by being both polite and unyielding."

to stop someone from acting freely, creatively, comfortably, or in their usual way

"Rules cramp my style."

"Wearing a uniform really cramps my style at school."