big stick

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big stick

n.
A display of power or a threat: a foreign policy that relied on the big stick.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

big stick

n
informal force or the threat of using force
adj
(Military) of, or relating to, irresistible military strength
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

big′ stick′


n.
political or military force used as a threat.
[1895–1900]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.big stick - a display of force or powerbig stick - a display of force or power; "speak softly but carry a big stick"
display, show - something intended to communicate a particular impression; "made a display of strength"; "a show of impatience"; "a good show of looking interested"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
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* replace "third-way" diplomacy that was Canada's trademark with "bigstick" diplomacy in the Middle East and Ukraine;