Heavy hand Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/3Authority Excess Describes overuse of power, often in leadership or control situations. The new manager's heavy hand caused unrest among the team. Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation 'Heavy hand' implies negative judgment about someone's use of power. Under her heavy hand, the once joyful office became joyless. Pro Tip 3/3Oppressive Tone Used to express a feeling of suppression or restriction by authority. Citizens felt the heavy hand of the new law curbing their freedoms.