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The big stick

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Political Power

It often refers to a nation's display of military strength or economic pressure on others.

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The UN doesn't shy away from using the big stick in the form of sanctions.
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Implied Threat

Used to hint at power behind diplomacy without displaying it openly.

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The prime minister's stance is patient, yet the big stick remains firmly in his grip.
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Teddy Roosevelt

The phrase is famously attributed to Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy: 'Speak softly, and carry a big stick.'

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Modern leaders often cite Roosevelt's big stick policy as an influence.
Visual representation of the word "The big stick"

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