strong-arm
/ˈstrɒŋ ɑːm/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈstrɔːŋ ɑːrm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstrȯŋ-ˈärm/ (ame, mw) · /ˈstrɒŋ.ɑːm/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈstrɑːŋ.ɑːrm/ (ame, ipa)
strong-arm — 形容詞
1. describes behaviour or methods that rely on physical force, threats, or intimida
強硬的；脅迫的
使用武力或威脅手段的
describes behaviour or methods that rely on physical force, threats, or intimidation rather than persuasion, negotiation, or legal process — for example, sending armed guards to remove tenants, or using threats to silence opposition.
The landlord hired a strong-arm squad to force the Ortega family out of their apartment.
房東僱了一組強硬手段小組，逼奧爾特加一家人搬出公寓。
collocation: strong-arm squad
Strong-arm tactics against striking workers drew sharp criticism from members of Parliament.
對付罷工工人的強硬手段遭到多名國會議員的嚴厲批評。
collocation: strong-arm tactics
Mei-Lin refused to work in an office where strong-arm behaviour towards junior staff was tolerated.
Mei-Lin 拒絕在一個允許對下屬使用脅迫手段的辦公室工作。
The journalist continued her investigation despite the strong-arm methods used to intimidate her sources.
儘管對方用脅迫手段威脅她的消息來源，那名記者仍繼續調查。
- coercive
more neutral and formal; 'coercive measures' is common in legal/political contexts
- heavy-handed
less organised; suggests clumsy or excessive force rather than systematic intimidation
- bullying
focuses on the personal, repeated nature of the intimidation, often in schools or workplaces
- gentle
implies kindness and mildness, the opposite of using force
- diplomatic
favours negotiation and tact rather than threats
文法句型
strong-arm + noun (tactics / methods / squad)
用法筆記
Almost always used attributively (before a noun). Common noun partners include 'tactics', 'methods', 'behaviour', 'approach', 'squad', and 'team'.
常見錯誤
strong-arm — 動詞
- strong-armpresent simple I / you / we / they
- strong-arms3rd person singular
- strong-arming-ing form
- strong-armedpast simple
1. to force a person or group to do something by using or threatening physical viol
強迫；脅迫
用武力或威脅強迫他人服從
to force a person or group to do something by using or threatening physical violence, or by applying extreme pressure — for example, threatening a shopkeeper to make them pay protection money, or pressuring a witness to change their story.
Theo's uncle tried to strong-arm him into joining the family business instead of studying music.
Theo 的叔叔試圖強迫他加入家族事業，而不是去學音樂。
pattern: strong-arm someone into doing something
Local shopkeepers were strong-armed into paying protection money to the gang every month.
當地店家每個月都被幫派脅迫繳交保護費。
passive: be strong-armed into
No one could strong-arm Amara into changing her testimony before the trial.
沒有人能強迫 Amara 在庭審前改變證詞。
The construction company strong-armed the neighbourhood committee into approving their building plans.
那家建築公司強迫社區委員會通過他們的建設計劃。
Kwame felt that his colleagues were trying to strong-arm him into backing a decision he disagreed with.
Kwame 覺得同事們想強迫他支持一個他不同意的決定。
- coerce
more formal; can involve non-physical pressure such as financial or legal threats
- intimidate
focuses on inspiring fear rather than directly forcing action
- bully
suggests repeated, personal harassment rather than a single act of force
- pressure
milder; implies persistent urging without violence or threats
文法句型
strong-arm + someone + into + doing something
be strong-armed + into + doing something
用法筆記
Most often appears in the construction 'strong-arm someone into (doing) something'. The objective is usually a person or group; the outcome (after 'into') is typically an action the target does not want to perform. Frequently used in passive voice.