big stick
big stick · big sticks
Significant power to punish or coerceSignificant power to punish or coerce.
» Speak softly and carry a big stick.
Meaning
1 senses(attributive, often)Significant power to punish or coerce.
a display of force or power
Examples
4 sentencesSpeak softly and carry a big stick.
He's too small to hold that big stick.
A big rock stuck out from the bank into the river.
Mennad didn't see the big black hair sticking out of his rice.