"High-handed"

Posted by Masakim on August 11, 2003

In Reply to: "High-handed" posted by Willard on August 11, 2003

: What does it mean to be high-handed in attitude, action, or position? Thanks.

high-handed
using your authority in an unreasonable way
"She resented his high-handed manner." "high-handed and insensitive management decisions"
Extra dictionary examples:
"The company has a reputation for being high-handed in its treatment of clients."
Sentences from books, newspapers, etc.:
"But they will not understand a high-handed decision by the Florida Legislature to take the law into its own hands."
"His high-handed dismissal of an outspoken professor brought unwanted national attention to the struggling school."
"Mr Brown said the planned charges were the last straw for customers already angry over banks' high-handed attitude."
"Some treated their staff in a high-handed and tyrannical way."
"The high-handed way in which Washington dropped the idea on its Western partners accounts for some the hostile reaction it has received."
"Their attitude towards the masses was condescending, high-handed and ultimately dictatorial."
"These high-handed tactics were obviously risky, but they were a calculated risk."
From _Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, New Edition_

• "High-handed" ESC 11/August/03