Definition
Describes someone who appears gentle and kind but is actually very firm and determined in their actions and decisions.
外柔內剛
She managed the company with 'an iron hand in a velvet glove,' appearing kind but being very strict in her demands.
她以『外柔內剛』的方式管理公司，表面和善但要求非常嚴格。
The politician was known for using 'an iron hand in a velvet glove'; always polite in public, but uncompromising behind the scenes.
這位政治人物以『外柔內剛』聞名；在公共場合總是彬彬有禮，但在幕後卻毫不妥協。
Despite her constant smile, she handles difficult issues with 'an iron fist in a velvet glove'.
儘管她總是面帶微笑，但處理棘手問題時卻是『外柔內剛』。