big stick
noun
force, especially political or military, used by a government as a means of influence.
Origin of big stick
An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900
Words nearby big stick
big shot,
big sister,
big skate,
big smoke,
big spring,
big stick,
big stick diplomacy,
big stink,
big talk,
big ten,
big tent
British Dictionary definitions for big stick
big stick
noun
informal
force or the threat of using force