strong-arm

See also: strongarm

English

Alternative forms

• strongarm

Etymology

strong +‎ arm

Adjective

strong-arm (not comparable)

1. Bullying; extortionate.
2. (usually figuratively) Coercive, employing force.

Verb

strong-arm (third-person singular simple present strong-arms, present participle strong-arming, simple past and past participle strong-armed)

1. To bully; to intimidate.
   • 2001, Bob Dylan, “Floater (Too Much to Ask)” from the album Love and Theft,

     One of the boss’ hangers-on

     Comes to call at times you least expect

     Try to bully ya—strong-arm you—inspire you with fear

2. (often figuratively) To coerce, to muscle.

Noun

strong-arm (plural strong-arms)

1. A person who threatens or intimidates others, especially on behalf of somebody else; a goon or enforcer.
   • 2000, Irving Shulman, The Big Brokers

     There used to be a goon I knew in the Bronx—a tough mockie we used to call Yussel the Bricklayer—and you never saw a guy who was more screwed up. This guy Yussel would've been a strongarm for nothing, he enjoyed it so much.

See also

• by the strong hand

Anagrams

• Armstrong