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Glite Dictionary
big stick

big stick

3 6.9
A show of force used to make others do what you want
  • noun
translation icon : gran garrote
  • The government demonstrated its big stick by imposing economic sanctions on the country.
  • carry a big stick

We should be trying to encourage people to do this without using big sticks.

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Examples

  • He was guided by the maxim: "Speak softly, and carry a big stick."

    Academic text (2002)

  • There's more to upholding the law than swinging a big stick and kicking down doors.

    Walking Tall (1973)

  • Speak softly and carry a big stick.

    Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014)

  • Walk softly and carry a big stick, huh?

    Walking Tall (1973)

  • Talk loudly and carry a big stick.

    Academic text (1997)

  • Teddy Roosevelt said to speak softly but carry a big stick.

    Blog text (21)

  • I guess Teddy Roosevelt knew what he was talking about when he said, "speak softly and carry a big stick."

    Blog text (13)

  • They realize it, so if things begin not to go their way, I think they can lean on the big stick and get what they want in the world.

    Academic text (2007)

  • The mystery is why the Bush administration now thinks it must carry a big stick and speak loudly at the same time - why it feels it must declare its values "non-negotiable."

    Academic text (2002)

  • Notwithstanding the existence of other pressing motives for intervention, the military action taken in Panama in December 1989 also stands as evidence of US readiness and determination to wield a "big stick" on narcotics matters.

    Academic text (1992)

Synonyms

stick
vsbig stick
34 7.2

A threat of punishment used to make people obey

is a visible show of force rather than just a threat
power play
vsbig stick
  • Literature
4 6.3

A forceful action to gain control over other people

is a public display of force used to influence rather than a strategic tactic

Antonyms

weakness
133 1.4

Lack of physical or mental strength that makes someone less able to act

How Forceful

coercion
  • Offensive
56 6.9
big stick
3 6.9
demonstration
10 6.3
threat
∞ 1.9

Surface Forms

big stick singular
big sticks plural

Morphology

big + stick

The sense 'a display of force or power' is partially derivable from combining 'big' (large/powerful) with 'stick' (an instrument or, metaphorically, a threat), so learners can infer a force-related meaning. However, the specific idiomatic use (as in 'carry a big stick') relies on a metaphorical/political extension and cultural knowledge, so the relation is not fully predictable for a B1 learner.

Etymology

Big stick comes from Theodore Roosevelt's saying 'speak softly and carry a big stick'. The image is of someone who talks quietly but keeps a large stick as a threat, so today big stick means 'a display of force or power' used to influence others.