rule somebody/something with a rod of ironalso rule somebody with an iron fist/handCONTROL to control a group of people in a very severe way 对某人/某事物实行严酷的高压统治 Although he was a fair man, he ruled us with an iron fist. 虽然他是个正直的人,但他对我们实行高压管理。
→ rule somebody/something with a rod of iron at rule2(2)